Matzoh Brei for Jan!
The Secret Ingredient Makes It the Best!
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 5 seconds
“Honey, I’m feeling pretty hungry,” Jan said as I handed her the morning medication.
As her loving husband and caregiver, I asked what she had in mind. “I’m really in the mood for some Matzoh Brei,” she replied.
I wasn’t sure how to make it, so I headed downstairs to find a recipe.
“Wait a minute, you’ve never made Matzoh Brei before and you don’t even like it,” she reminded me. Jan quickly jotted down a recipe for me to follow.
In the kitchen, I followed her instructions step by step, with the only change I put in all my love into the Matzoh Brei. After some time, I went back upstairs and served her breakfast. I said, “Here you go, my love. Do you require anything else?”
Jan was in the middle of a call and shook her head negatively, so I quietly left the room and headed downstairs. As I reached the first floor, I overheard Jan exclaiming, “Wow, this is the best Matzoh Brei I’ve ever had!
I smiled as I continued to our living room, remembering my grandmother’s lesson. Following Jan’s directions, I prepared the Matzoh Brei and added the secret ingredient – love!
I received the news that I hoped never to hear two years ago today.
“I’m sorry to say this, but the only option for Janice is hospice,” Dr. Strair said.
Hearing those words, my stomach flipped, and I felt like it had jumped out of the window. The call had been about planning for Jan’s recovery, but now we were discussing her death.
Today, 24 months later, I still can’t eat Matzoh Brei, but my love for Jan remains strong.
I’ve learned that love never dies, and I take it one day at a time. Even though I miss Jan, I strive to share her passion for life and kindle the light from her effervescent smiles to repair the world.
Love is the elusive yet essential ingredient that makes life complete and fulfilling.
The Jan Lilien Education Fund sponsors ongoing sustainability and environmental awareness programs. Gifts made this month; I will match dollar-for-dollar. All donations are tax-deductible.
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