Taking Bread “Flowers”

bread "flowers", flower, Tibetan bread, steamed bread

I heard the news today when the sun was hanging high in the middle of the sky. Upon my return from a short walk, I opened the door to let the puppy into the house but kept myself outside. A sad time and reflection was what I needed.

As I sat down on the stairs and remembered, I noticed the purple flowering lavender in my garden. They are at their peak perfuming, but Sue – my neighbor of ten years – wasn’t here to admire them or pick some for her pocket.

Her deadly illness finally took her far from us today – June 23, 2015. Her loving husband, her son growing into a fine adult, and her vivacious teenager daughter, the unkind disease separated her from them forever, thirty years before her time.

I thought of a few options of doing something nice for Sue’s loved ones. But in the end I’m Tibetan, and I did it the Tibetan way, just like my grandma would have done for such an occasion.

I made bread “flowers” and beef dumplings “momos” with scallions. Arranged the decorative dumpling pouches and the short-necked daisy-like yellow flowers in a wicker basket, Sue would have liked it.

I promised her husband to keep an eye on the splendid garden Sue established, while they are away by the sea.

Sue, I already miss you. I will miss you when I see your big dogs that you rescued. I will miss you when I see everything growing around your house that you adored. I will miss you, always.

And I have decided to appreciate my life more.

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6 Responses to Taking Bread “Flowers”

  1. Sara Kingsley June 24, 2015 at 6:33 PM #

    A nice offering from the heart. Very touching. I am sorry for this loss.

    • Jolma June 24, 2015 at 8:58 PM #

      Thank you, Sara. A very good neighbor, she’s gone too young. Very sad.

  2. Rose E. Bingham June 26, 2015 at 8:48 PM #

    Bread “flowers”, how beautiful. Your friend sounds like she will be taking care of a heavenly garden. I have a friend Nita who will be with her.

    • Jolma June 26, 2015 at 11:32 PM #

      I’m sorry about Nita, Rose. I hope their afterlife is a “heavenly garden”. Let us all pray.

  3. peggygilbey814628432 June 27, 2015 at 3:23 PM #

    Oh Dear Jolma. So truly sorry for the loss of your close friend Sue, I am sure you will miss her greatly. What a touching Tibetan food tribute to share with her family. May you treasure the many happy moments and times you shared together.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. A Year to Celebrate | Beyond Her Kitchen: Tibetan Culture through Food & Stories - January 1, 2018

    […] are five staples I know for sure will include in the menu. They are Momo dumplings, a noodle dish, bread flowers, Tsmpa (a quintessential Tibetan meal made of roasted barley, butter and touch of sugar), and […]

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