Do you remember when you first met me? I was laughing too loudly and talking too much. I was young, so very young, and fair to say completely lost. You guys became my home, my many parents, you all took me under your wing. You put up with my bad singing, my very late nights and you looked after me. You chased away the boys my Dad would never approve of, you kept me company, you kept me safe and happy.
You gave me a home. A place to belong. You befriended me despite my many flaws and showed me an acceptance I had never known.
Above all this you made me laugh. Time and time again.
Some of the moments that are entwined in those years are the best I have ever had. I cannot look back on that journey without smiling.
Today you came into my mind and you haven’t left. I want you all back, we want you back. I want us to be together again sharing this era of our life just as we did that one. I want my kids to know you. To know the real people, the real friends that we have been blessed with.
It breaks my heart that one link is now missing, that he has been taken from us when we still had so many songs to sing and drinks to share. I can’t imagine what it is like for all of you who are there, without him, the emptiness I imagine never really fades.
The time has come, we are heading back for a fix later in the year. I am very excited. I am celebrating with cake.
Chocolate and Coconut Cake
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons cacao or cocoa
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
10 medjool dates, seeds removed
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon concentrated natural vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Place the oats, coconut, cacao or cocoa, salt and dates into your blender or food processor and quickly pulse until the mixture turns to a crumb like texture. Add the coconut milk and vanilla and pulse at medium speed to evenly combine. Press the mixture firmly into a tiny little loaf tin (mine is 12cm x 5.5cm) that has been lined with plastic wrap overhanging the sides. Cover the mixture with the wrap and place in the fridge overnight to set. Cut and enjoy.