When you lose someone close to you, there is a void that cannot be filled. We all know that someday we are going to die, but it does not lessen the hurt when someone is called away. It has been 16 years since mom passed away and eight since Gran has been gone, and it still seems as if just yesterday.
Everyone experiences loss, no matter if it is a family member, a close friend or even a pet the loss is still the same. I still catch myself thinking of calling mom just to talk and it hurts knowing that I can’t. Momma Said, “Hold your loved ones close to your heart because you never know when they will be gone.”
For those of you that have lost a loved one, watch for signs that they are still with you. A familiar smell or finding something that really reminds you of them. I have hummingbirds visit me up close and personal since mom passed. They will hover in front of my face or fly close to my head as if to say, “Hey, just checking to see if you are ok.” Mom loved those little birds and this never happened to me until she was gone.
I take it as a sign that she is still with me wherever I go and it makes me feel close to her. It makes me smile and I can’t wait for summer to come around each year when they show up. I sit on the porch and watch them fight over the feeder. I had a dream about a dragonfly and a hummingbird the other night and I woke up feeling as if she was trying to tell me something.
I hope each of you that have lost someone close to you can find peace with their passing. They are out of pain and in the loving hands of God. That doesn’t mean they can’t still visit from time to time. Keep an eye out for the small things and you just might find that your loved one isn’t gone after all. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they are gone from your life. Momma Said, “They are a part of you just as you are a part of them.”
Earthquake Cake
Ingredients:
· 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix (do not prepare as directed on box, prepare as directed below)
· 1/3 cup oil
· 3 eggs
· 1 and 1/3 cup water
· 2/3 cup shredded coconut
· 2/3 cup chocolate chips
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans
· 1/2 cup butter
· 8 oz cream cheese
· 1 pound powdered sugar (3 and 3/4 cups)
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle the coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans on the bottom of the pan.
4. Mix the German Chocolate cake mix with the oil, eggs, and water using a spatula or hand mixer on low.
5. Pour the cake mix on top of the coconut/chocolate chip/pecan layer.
6. In a saucepan, melt the butter and cream cheese.
7. Using a spatula or hand mixer on low, beat in 1 pound of powdered sugar until it’s smooth to the butter/cream cheese.
8. Spread this mixture on top of the unbaked German Chocolate cake in the pan, and swirl into the cake mix using a knife.
9. Bake for 35-45 minutes. It is done when it doesn’t wobble in the pan if you shake it. The toothpick test shouldn’t work because the cake should be gooey in nature. Do not overcook.
10. Enjoy! Store any left over cake in the fridge.
