END OF YEAR

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the immense gift that life has bestowed upon me.

This year, the most precious and cherished present under the tree is not wrapped in shiny paper and adorned with ribbons; it’s a gift that emanates from within—the gift of my 16-month survival since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

In the face of adversity, buckets filled with unwavering support, love, and encouragement have been the lights guiding me through the darkest days. As I’ve noted in prior posts, the journey hasn’t been easy, but each passing month has been a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.

As I celebrate this milestone, I want to express my deepest gratitude. The positive presence of so many in my life has been a source of inspiration and motivation, reminding me that I am not alone on this journey. Together, we’ve faced the challenges, embraced the victories, and created a tapestry of love and resilience.

This holiday season, let’s revel in the joy of life, the warmth of shared moments, and the beauty of overcoming. As we gather and celebrate the holidays, exchanging laughter and creating new memories, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the preciousness of time and the strength that comes from the bonds we share.

Thank you for being a part of my journey, for standing by me during the storm, and for celebrating the victories, big and small. May this holiday season be filled with love, joy, and the recognition that the best gift of all is the gift of life itself.

An estimated 8 million people worldwide will immediately recognize this image. Are you one?

It is the cover of the Anita Baker album, Rapture.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture_(Anita_Baker_album)

Upon learning about my diagnosis, a close friend showed up at my front door and announced,

“When you get better, we’re going to see Anita Baker’s residency in Las Vegas.”

Something to look forward to!

Something he intuitively knew would put a smile on my face. And it did…throughout the course of treatment and recuperation.

I “got better,” listened to Rapture and Compositions often.

Baker’s Vegas residency ended, but her The Songstress Tour came to Atlantic City and, as promised, my friend took me to see her…and dinner at Il Mulino New York, a white tablecloth restaurant.

My buddy’s generosity made me feel loved and the food was, in a word, fabulous.

And to that point, during my recovery I discovered that a recipe for a speedy recovery was not just about medicine, but a helping of food, friendship and laughter.

Picture this:

The healing power of Carlino’s https://www.carlinosmarket.com chicken soup or the curative effect of a homemade brunch, 28 floors above the City of Philadelphia with breath taking panoramic views, early morning breakfasts at Wegman’s Supermarket and Sabrina’s https://www.sabrinascafe.com , sharing a “Bobbie” from Capriotti’s https://capriottis.com in Wilmington, fresh caramel chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery,* https://levainbakery.com outdoor meals in Bryn Mawr, Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square restaurants, post-Longwood Garden https://longwoodgardens.org , dinner with new friends that included a chance encounter with an old one at La Voglia https://lavogliahv.com lunch at Terrain https://www.shopterrain.com/pages/glen-mills-restaurant in Glen Mills, PA, pickle pizza from the Roadside Bistro https://www.bistroroadside.com in Greentown, PA, a heartwarmingly engaging meal at Cake

https://chestnuthillpa.com/business/cake/ in Chestnut Hill, and the many, many Ben & Irv’s http://benandirvs.com and Curds N Whey

https://www.curdsnwheyonline.com meals. Oye. And lastly, the long and winding road to Zahav http://www.zahavrestaurant.com that not only exceeded my expectations, but has left me still pondering how that reservation got made.

All these meals had me forgetting about the “C-word.”

Good food does that. It is the kind of nourishment that didn’t just fill my stomach, but also filled my heart with warmth and joy. I do not underestimate the therapeutic properties of laughter. It is like a spoonful of sugar for the soul…and every meal this past year magically included jokes, puns and embarrassing anecdotes that brought a smile to my face. Thank you to all of my food friends.

Yours in gastronomic solidarity,

*Before seeing an Off-Broadway Show with the luminous Diane Wiest.