Night 2 of my wife's cooking: I'm so proud of her. It doesn't seem like much, she just baked chicken, but this is the first time she's used the oven in like 2 years. After her brain surgery, when she was still relearning things, she put something in the oven when I was at work and then tried to pull it out without an oven mitt. It was a really scary time for us and I think I'm realizing how much she felt like she had lost control and autonomy over her own life. So this is a really big step. She's the best.
My dad was in a very similar place after his brain injury. He couldn’t follow a recipe if his life depended on it. It’s been ten years and now he’s back to not just following recipes but actively experimenting and enjoying cooking. He’ll just wake up and randomly decide to bake or whatever. I know we don’t know each other, but I’m so glad your wife has made this progress and I hope you both know it only goes up from here.
Thanks, man. Food Thread was really pulling hard for me when that happened. It might have seemed small but talking to you dopes about cooking really brought me a lot of joy and comfort during that time.
Hey this means a lot! I think she and I were a bit naive about just how drastically our lives were gonna change after the relief of like, you made it through brain surgery which was fucking scary. It sometimes seems like the surgery wasn't even the hardest part. But she's amazing (and I bet your dad is too) and even though she's had a few minor setbacks and some real fucking scary seizures she's been working hard in her recovery and has never given up.
Yeah we were told “brain injuries are like onions” and every time one layer is pulled back another reveals itself but it’s really not possible to grasp that until you’re living it. I’m glad you’re both doing well and if you need to talk at all feel free to reach out!
Beav! This is the most beautiful food post you have had yet. Can not fathom the journey both of you have been on, but I can imagine there is a ton more appreciation for the simple things in life now, like her being able to cook a meal for you.
I love that so much and very apropos for the food thread, haha. Sending you internet hugs. Thank you so much for the kind words.
dang didn't expect to get teary-eyed in the fuckin' food thread. Your wife and @Meerkat's dad are incredible.
Couldn’t find a better reason to actually start participating in this thread instead of lurking. I’m trying to get myself motivated to cook again so hopefully this helps!
we’ve been introducing the younger generation at work to new foods and we’ve had great results. it’s mostly one 19 year old who’s had a very sheltered food life, but a few others with some blind spots, too. he had cantaloupe for the first time last month, shawarma last week, philly cheesesteak the week before, and sour cream (!) this week.
How in the world do you go 19 years without ever having sour cream? I sorta get the other stuff but like... sour cream is in lots of stuff.
it may have been just the first time had it straight? (it was a dip with seasoned fries) hard to get a solid answer. watching him touch the very tip of a fry to the sour cream as gently as he could to try it was the highlight of my week.