FOOD FRIDAY: The Happy Sad

There are moments in life that we treasure forever.  A lot of them happy.  Some of them sad.  All of them cherished.  It does seem, though, that in celebration and in grief we gather around the table with our loved ones.  We share our meals and we share our lives.  Food is an integral part of all our major life events:  weddings, birthdays, accomplishments, all celebrated around a table.  Lives of our dearly departed are remembered and honored over meals.  Food brings us together in tough and in happy times.

Summer Picnic (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

My friend Shawn loved life.  He lived each day to its fullest, without regrets and reservations.  Shawn, a true bon vivant, loved all things delicious.  He had a spirit of adventure and was not afraid to try anything.  At least, once.  His zest for life was infectious and he touched many people’s hearts.  On June 13, 2011, Shawn lost his battle with a rare form of brain cancer.  He was 34.

Shawn at His Wedding (Photo by James Bruton)

The loss is always devastating, no matter how you look at it.  But Shawn would not have wanted us to be sad that he is gone.  He would want us to celebrate his life, not its quantity, but its quality.  He was that kind of a guy.  So, many of us did just that.  We gathered together at different times and in different places to share our memories, to share our meals and to raise our glasses in celebration of an amazing human being.  “The Happy Sad.”  That is the name of Shawn’s cocktail creation, dedicated to his beautiful little girl Charlie, who has his sparkling smile and is his true legacy.  The cocktail lives on the menu at The Paramount Room, where Shawn worked most recently as a Beverage Director.  The Happy Sad… is exactly how I feel.  Happy to have met such a wonderful person and fellow bon vivant.  Sad that our time together has been cut short.

As the holiday weekend approaches, many will gather with friends and family to celebrate.  There will be BBQs and parties and picnics.  There will be fireworks and laughter and new memories in the making.  There will be delicious food and drink.  I, for one, will be celebrating my friend’s life by living my own to its fullest.  A bone-in grassfed ribeye from The Butcher and Larder finished with garlic marrow butter, delicious summer produce from The Green City Market and lots of champagne with the family of my own creation:  my friends.  Lots of cherished moments in the making.  Shawn will be happy for me.  Wherever he is.

Cheers to you, Superman!

In loving memory of Shawn Koch
October 8, 1976 – June 13, 2011

Donations may be made to the Shawn Koch Foundation.

Hungry?  Want more?  Follow me on Twitter at Gourmet Rambler.