I am back, guys. I know I’ve been absent for 3 weeks but for a good although impossibly sad reason. We went home to Canada but unfortunately it wasn’t a long awaited holiday trip.
The phone call came early in the morning three Sundays ago. Brad’s parents were calling from a hospital room. We knew immediately something was terribly wrong. Brad’s sister Lydia, my sister-in-law went into a multiple organ failure while being hooked to a dialysis machine.
Lydia’s kidneys failed over a year ago. This horrendous thing happened to the girl who wasn’t even 30, who loved life and embraced it with a total abandon which included the good and the bad. The bad part was her health but she fought a good fight, she inspired and encouraged so many even in the midst of her own suffering.
Since her kidney failure she was dependent on a dialysis machine to keep her alive until she got a kidney transplant. That day never came, she died at the age of 30. Her life although short was not small. She tried to take in all experiences she could think of, even if they terrified her like skydiving! Her life made a difference.
I was so blessed to know her and to call her my sister. I know she is not suffering anymore and that gives me comfort but I will never stop missing her.
Lydia’s last year was very tough, her restrictive diet was something to get depressed over. Anything that tasted good or had any nutrition in it was off limits because her kidneys couldn’t handle it. She missed food so much and once in a while I would try and adapt a recipe for her so she could enjoy normal human food like this Thai Noodle Bowl. She loved avocados and often joked that she only wanted a new kidney so she could eat an avocado topped toast for breakfast one more time.
I wanted to dedicate this post to Lydia. I didn’t take me long to know it would be about avocados. In fact, a bunch of her friends got together after the funeral and had a “guac off” in her memory. What a brilliant idea! Lydia would’ve loved it.
So here is my recipe. It’s simple and delicious. It’s my last recipe for Lydia.
Ingredients
- Avocado-4
- Tomato seeded and diced- 1/2
- Cilantro chopped- 2-3 sprigs
- Garlic finely minced- 1 clove, small
- Lime juice- from 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sprinkle with some dried chilli for extra heat optional
Instructions
- Cut avocados in half and remove the pits.
- In a medium bowl mash avocados with a fork. I like it a little bit chunky.
- Add freshly squeezed lime juice, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, minced garlic and season with salt and pepper.
- Leave it for about 10 minutes for the flavours to blend.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Wow very touching Julia reading this had me in tears made me think of my beloved dear grandmother and how very sick she became yet she still wanted to live life to the fullest no matter how sick she was may our loved ones rip and continue to watch over us and always be guiding lights to us btw love avocados and especially guac this recipe gotta try thanx for posting darling never tried it with cilantro or dried chilli mmmmm have a very awesome sweet weekend cheers
Thank you.
I just came across your blog. I’m brand new to dialysis. Yours is the first blog I’ve seen. I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve told my family that no one knows when they will be called home to be with our Lord. I have just been given some kidney and heart information I’d rather not know but must deal with positively. Can you point me to any good sites to find dialysis-friendly recipes? Thank you for sharing! –Joy
Hi Joy, first of all thank you for your comment. The loss of my sister-in-law is still a difficult one to process and accept for us as a family. I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and do know that life on dialysis has many challenges, food being one of them. I actually was present at my sister’s first meeting with a nutritionist when she was first put on dialysis, so I understand how limiting your choices are. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with any blogs that share recipes for people with kidney failure. My only advice is to engage your creativity and start seeing food differently. I am sorry I can’t be any more helpful.
beautuful reading the story about Lydia.
I’ll be making this guacamole for melbourne cup day 🙂
I only recently came across your blog through Pinterest and am already spreading the word to friends and family. Tonight I logged on to see what I should make this week and this post came up. I am sorry to hear of your loss. What a young life. Too young. Deepest sympathy from a fellow Canadian and new fan. Karen
Thanks for sharing from your heart. I think I’m going to have to make some guac tonight. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your recipe. With deepest sympathy.
Once again, food brings people together. This was a very beautiful post and it brought tears to my eyes.
Welcome back! Wonderful tribute to Lydia, and beautiful post.
A truly beautiful and fitting post, Julia.
I wish Lydia could have had an avacado once more. tears.
What a beautiful post, thank you.
Julia, as usual amazing photos and great recipe! But this post brought tears to my eyes!! 🙁 what a great way to say “goodbye” once again through food.
Lots of love!