Remembering My Dad with a Christmas Cake

It's funny what will trigger a memory, and in some cases a torrent of tears. Yesterday I was trying to do some speed shopping at the Hannaford, when I came upon Little Debbie's Christmas Tree Cakes. The sight brought me to a complete standstill and I started crying in the store.

Photo Chris Popper

My Dad loved Little Debbie's Christmas Tree Cakes!

It all dated back about 18 years ago when I had nasal cancer. My Mom and Dad came up from Florida in the winter to help us while I was undergoing chemo and radiation. My Dad froze in the Maine winter that December! I remember he sat by the propane fireplace wrapped in a tan blanket, and my Mom made him walk up to the Broadway Hannaford, which is about a mile and half from my house each way. There, he found the Little Debbie's Christmas Tree Cakes!  He loved them!

Since then, every time I would see them, I would think of my Dad. Last year when he was sick, and  before he went downhill, I sent him a case of Christmas Tree Cakes! He couldn't believe I sent him a case of 30!

We would talk to each other every night, and I told him, he had enough to have 1 every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas! So we would call each other on the Alexa Show, so I could see him and he could see Bonnie and myself. And then we would talk about our days, while we shared a Christmas Tree Cake!

He passed on January 18th.

So when I saw the Christmas Cakes I thought of my Dad unexpectedly, and started crying. I bought a box yesterday, and in my Dad's honor will have 1 every day between now and Christmas.

It's going to be our tradition! I love you Dad and miss you!