Do you have an aha moment?

Mutual of Omaha is the proud sponsor of life's aha moments. They are looking for people to submit their aha moments at: http://www.ahamoment.com/

What is an aha moment?
"A moment of clarity, the aha moment is a defining moment where you gain real wisdom - wisdom you can use to change your life." (www.ahamoment.com)

What is your aha moment?

I submited my aha moment to the website at: http://www.ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/9906
To read my aha moment, see below.

Food is often said to be “the way to a man’s stomach,” but for me, Emily, food is a way to celebrate life. On January 23, 2006, my mother, Renee (56), lost her life to a long, hard-fought battle against breast cancer. In addition to being the life of the party, whose smile, laughter, and joy spread sunshine to all those she met, she was also a fabulous cook. During her lifetime, my mom created two cookbooks titled “Whip Me, Beat Me, Eat Me.” The origin of the books started in my mother's kitchen where she would cook dinner Monday through Thursday for our family. Every Sunday night, she would prepare a multiple course home cooked meal for the family, often leading to many guests, friends, and neighbors coming to share in the meal. She also looked at food as a way to share community, and spread comfort and joy to others.

With my mom gone, I've struggled like so many others to move on from losing a loved one. But, in the darkest hours, I found comfort in her food. After meeting so many others that have lost loved ones, and while cooking dinner one night for my husband, I realized that so many people have found comfort through food. The sense of smell, memories and feelings that come back bring up so many emotions, and I wanted to do something with that.

With that said, I decided to walk in my mother’s footsteps by creating a cookbook (but not just any cookbook). One that honors memories and recipes of lost loved ones. I decided that if this helped me, it had to have helped a lot more people and I wanted to hear their stories. I am in the process of putting together a book filled with stories and recipes from people all across the country and of every race, gender, culture and age. These recipes will then be turned into a cookbook titled, “A Blending of Bittersweet Memories.”

The book will highlight the recipes and stories of people that have lost loved ones, the lessons they’ve learned, and the food and recipes of those that have passed on. I created a web site for people to visit www.bittersweet-memories.com to share their recipes and stories(stories just need to be 500 words, with recipe directions). A portion from the proceeds from the book will benefit a breast cancer charity.

In my aha moment, cooking a recipe of my moms for my new husband, I decided to dedicate my life to my mother's memory and help people grieve through smell and food. I honestly hope to give them comfort, as this whole process has given me some.

Donations

Last night I went to an Advisory Board Meeting for the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center. The Center was established at Northwestern University in 1974. In 1991, it was dedicated as the Rovert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University. This center is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. Among the largest in the Midwest, the clinical enterprise treats more than 10,000 new cancer cases annually.
Dr. Steve Rosen, who is director of the center and was my mother's oncologist,is an incredible human being with the best bedside manner I have ever experienced. He is a brilliant doctor who treats his patients like the are family.
I have made a decision to give a portion of the proceeds from the book to Dr. Rosen and his team. I would also like to say something about the new Brain Tumor Institute that just opened at Northwestern. Dr. Jeffrey Raizer is the co-director of the center and was also my mom's doctor. He is a wonderful man who has dedicated his life to fighting this horrible disease. To learn more about Dr. Rosen, Dr. Raizer, and the cancer center, please go to the website at http://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/home/index.cfm
A Blending of Bittersweet Memories is for people who have lost loved ones due to all reasons, not just cancer. It is my personal preference to use the proceeds to fight cancer. Please help me fight one of the battles that affects so many people.