Christmas 2015

Christmas this year was quite remarkable and very unusual. Leslie, a very good friend, arrived two days before Christmas and would be with us through to the following Monday. Oh what plans we had. As most of you know we love to eat and I love to cook, so I naturally planned menus for everyday built upon requests from our guest. We also planned on showing her Montauk Lighthouse decked out for Christmas, taking her to the north fork to enjoy a meal at the oldest family-owned restaurant in the country - Claudio's, and showing her the latest endeavor that we're participating in - a pop-up gallery in Hampton Bays.

On the first night of her visit, we all went up stairs to admire the Christmas tree shining its lights out onto our balcony and coming down the stairs Les fell as she missed the last step. She was able to get herself up and with some help we got her to her room and bed, all of us believing that she was simply bruised. After a long painful night, the local fire department and rescue team carried her gingerly out to an ambulance that then whisked her off to Southampton Hospital around midday. An x-ray of her left wrist revealed a fracture and a CAT scan of her left leg showed a fracture in her tibia plateau. The hospital staff splinted her arm and braced her leg, sending her home with us on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, a nurse in the Emergency room had been able to contact the fire department and when we arrived at our front door, there were seven angels waiting for us who safely transported our guest to an office chair in the kitchen - a chair that would be her only source of mobility for the remainder of her stay. Pain pills made her injuries tolerable for the next several days, and plans now centered around keeping her comfortable, deciding when to make the journey home, and, of course, food.

As challenging and uncomfortable as this time was for Les, she kept her positive attitude and a healthy appetite. Salmon and lentils; arugula, pear & goat cheese salad with pomegranate vinaigrette; fennel, onion & mushroom galette; prime roast beef; coquilles St. Jacques; and, rack of lamb were all consumed with pleasure and appreciation. Knowing that cooking would be out of the question once she got home, we packed a cooler for her stocked with cream of tomato and turkey barley soups, ham & leek empanadas, leftover lamb, chicken pot pies, chili, and bite-sized apple muffins. For the trip across the sound on the ferry, we enjoyed a picnic of roast beef sandwiches, chips, and iced tea. Given her handicapped status we were allowed to stay in the car and they ushered us to the stern of the ferry so we'd be one of the first cars off and that provided us with a fantastic view of the crossing at water level. The skies were filled with incredible clouds and we all enjoyed our front-row seats.

Finally, at her home-base hospital, we learned that Leslie's leg would heal on its own with time and the wrist would likely require surgery but she'd need to consult with an orthopedic specialist. They released her into the care of her very good friends, and five nights after her fall, she found herself at home enjoying and sharing the meals we'd packed for her.

So this Christmas was all about food, love, and support - wonderful things to share.

 

Photos & Slide Show ©2016 Claudia Ward
Music: "Leaving Paris" by Alexandre Desplat from the soundtrack of "Julie & Julia"

Comments

[Deb Cobb]

Kudos to the two of you and your brave friend Leslie. Hope she heals quickly. Can I eat at your house next Christmas? The food sounds amazing. Love to you both.

[Paul Angotta]

Christmas is a time for giving & selfless acts oF kindness. You (and all the caregivers along the eay) exemplified those traits. Not surprising, at all. Wishing you, Peter, friends & family endless happiness, peace & sunny days this holiday season & always! Enjoy!

[Mary Tanaskovic Bitting]

Happy New Year, Claudia and Peter; I loved your slide show! Glad to see "Open Window" is back; I missed it in December. Regards, Mary