• Home
  • About
  • Birds
  • Bread
  • Cakes and Cookies
  • Chocolate Making
  • Chocolate Making II
  • Chooks
  • Christmas
  • Fabulous Food
  • Family & Friends
  • Frugal Living
  • Homemade
  • In My Kitchen
  • In Our Garden
  • Jams, Preserves & Sauces
  • Musings
  • My Cool Things
  • Savoury
  • Suppliers
  • Sydney
  • Waste Reduction Plan
  • Pandemic Posts 2020

Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Salt-Crusted Bread
Silver Palate Toffee Bars »

Big Boy Loves Me

November 19, 2011 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

When my children were little, I loved them so much that it would occasionally cause my heart to ache.  I’m not speaking metaphorically either – sometimes the feeling would be so overwhelming that I’d actually feel physical discomfort.

They were so loving and trusting and perfect that I never wanted them to grow up.  I couldn’t imagine what kind of relationship I might have with them as adults.

Of course, they did grow up, and they’ve enriched our lives in the process, beyond anything we could ever have dreamed of.

Big Boy is now eighteen. Every Friday morning, he heads into town to do a couple of hours paid work for his Auntie Kate.  It’s not much, but it gives him a tiny bit of spending money.

Around midday, I’ll get a phone call…

“Mum, have you sorted anything for lunch yet?”

“Not yet, what did you have in mind?”

“Would you like a pork roll?”

And then Big Boy, one of the great loves of my life, will spend $5 of his hard-earned money and buy me a pork salad roll from the Vietnamese bakery.  It’s full of processed mystery meat, heartburn-inducing chilli, and a strange, unidentifiable pâté, encased in a crusty white bread roll.

I devour it with enormous enthusiasm.

With every bite, I think to myself…“Big Boy loves me.”

Share this:

  • Email
  • Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted in Food & Friends, Musings | 37 Comments

37 Responses

  1. on November 19, 2011 at 12:10 am Misk Cooks

    Oooh, that’s just so sweet. That’s made me smile and smile and smile. :)


  2. on November 19, 2011 at 12:21 am thecompletecookbook

    This is the most heart warming post ever! Kudos to Big Boy for loving his Mommy so much!
    :-) Mandy


  3. on November 19, 2011 at 12:23 am sallybr

    That is just the perfect post to start my day…..

    wonderful! I’ve never had kids myself, but do live vicariously through the love of many Moms for their kids


  4. on November 19, 2011 at 12:27 am Debra Kolkka

    How lovely. Boys can be such a delight. I beat my son at Snakes and Ladders once ( I usually let him win) and he said “Good on you Mum.” I think I knew at this point he would be a nice man.


  5. on November 19, 2011 at 12:36 am ninopane

    I wonder if one of my girls (7 & 10) will be so thoughtful at that age!

    You are one lucky mum!


  6. on November 19, 2011 at 12:48 am Joanna

    Perfect!


  7. on November 19, 2011 at 1:18 am theonlycin

    Such a sweet lad he is, testimony to your parenting :)


  8. on November 19, 2011 at 1:33 am Abby

    Misty-eyed over here. So so so so sweet. This is the kind of relationship I hope for when my kiddos get older…..I’m still in the heart-aching-with-love stage now. :)


  9. on November 19, 2011 at 2:11 am Marilyn

    Make me weepy, C, before I’ve had my coffee.

    I know that people say, “Food is not love” but honestly, one of the ways in my family that we take care of each other is with food. We cook nice meals, make coffee and tea, eat together and celebrate holidays by gathering around the table.

    Hugs, Maz.


  10. on November 19, 2011 at 2:43 am Tes

    Oh so sweet! Now I’m thinking…will I ever have that beautiful moment with my son when he grows up :)


  11. on November 19, 2011 at 4:33 am Gian Banchero

    Include me in the Misty-Eyed Club, just a beautiful column… One’s love for their children grows and grows sometimes to the point where one thinks the heart will explode… And sometime it happily does. Blessings on you and your perfect Big Boy!


  12. on November 19, 2011 at 5:03 am heidi

    I never had a daughter- but I love the ways boys show love.
    And you are right- he LOVES you!
    I discovered my youngest loved me with a cup of coffee that he made to share with me (and a chat.)
    Treasure the pork roll and the LOVE.
    Big Boys are a gift from God.


  13. on November 19, 2011 at 5:39 am Suelle

    You should be proud of how well you have raised your boys!


  14. on November 19, 2011 at 6:59 am frances

    Boys are great. Mine washes and vacuums the car without being asked, puts in petrol from the proceeds of his part time job without being asked. At 17 he totally sorted the car after a moderate accident, and dealt with the repairs and insurance issues. Now he is finished the HSC I have tried to get him cooking but that is not so easy! Recently I have been researching miniturised heat exchange technology and you know I think before too long one will be able to have a refridgerator and cooking facilities attached to a normal car, You will be able to open the bonnet and there will be a mini kitchen. Big boys will love it!


  15. on November 19, 2011 at 8:07 am Rose

    Celia that is a lovely anecdote. As a past high school teacher I get a special heart string tug reading such a story, older kids don’t get the public kudos that smaller children do so, to me, it’s especially lovely when they do.

    On ya Big Boy!


  16. on November 19, 2011 at 8:15 am Mariana

    I understand exactly how you feel.


  17. on November 19, 2011 at 8:32 am tania@mykitchenstories

    Very nice Celia. He sounds like a very lovely big boy


  18. on November 19, 2011 at 10:17 am InTolerantChef

    Awwww, what’s not to love Celia?
    I hope he doesn’t read this post and get all embarrased, but he is such a sweetie! What a shame that one of my girls is a bit too old, and the other one a bit too young for him! He sounds like the perfect boyfriend material! I bet he takes after his dad, or you’ve trained him well :)


  19. on November 19, 2011 at 11:32 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

    Aww Celia that’s so sweet you made my eyes well up! He is lucky to have such a wonderful mum and you’re lucky to have such a loving son (although of course he would turn out to be a lovely young man with a mum like you!).


  20. on November 19, 2011 at 1:24 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

    Thank you all! I’m really grateful that you’re willing to read my ramblings about my family. Sometimes the words just come out, like yesterday when Big Boy walked in and presented me with my pork salad roll on a white plate.

    It’s very kind of you to compliment Pete and I, but truly, those boys of ours taught us how to parent. And we have been blessed with young men of gentle temperament, a testament to their father. I can get a little…umm…volatile at times.. ;-)


    • on November 19, 2011 at 4:25 pm Gian Banchero

      No, no, no, the thanks go to you!!! You opened a lot of hearts with today’s post and provided all of us with generous smiles. Thank you soooo much.


  21. on November 19, 2011 at 2:46 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

    So sweet Celia. That left me with a big smile. That is indeed love.
    When I was pregnant with Monkey Boy those Vietnamese rolls were hot property, crusty crumbs spraying everywhere, and more chilli than should rightfully been so…I don’t think I’ve had one since then.


  22. on November 19, 2011 at 3:29 pm Manuela

    Beautiful!


  23. on November 19, 2011 at 5:41 pm Lizzy (Good Things)

    Celia I know just what you mean about loving your children so much that your heart aches. What a wonderful son you have, God bless him xox


  24. on November 19, 2011 at 5:45 pm Sally

    It’s the small things that count isn’t it. I am SO grateful if my girls offer to make me a cup of tea :)


  25. on November 19, 2011 at 6:26 pm Anna

    Lordy – I got misty eyed too! They grow up so fast…


  26. on November 19, 2011 at 6:59 pm hotlyspiced

    What a beautiful post! I’ve just done a post about my 18 year old boy. They are very special aren’t they!


  27. on November 19, 2011 at 8:55 pm Kavey

    What a lovely post…
    And what a thoughtful big boy you have raised.
    Sounds like one in a million!


  28. on November 19, 2011 at 9:04 pm brussellsprout

    Beautiful! very considerate of Big Boy. (but I can’t stand those pork rolls, LOL!)


  29. on November 20, 2011 at 8:44 am C

    What a sweetie. It’s so easy to take parents for granted, but he clearly loves and appreciates you. I wonder when I last showed my mum I loved her, just by doing something a little bit special? Too long I suspect.


  30. on November 20, 2011 at 5:35 pm Christine

    Beautiful, Celia. I loved reading this, thankyou. xx


  31. on November 20, 2011 at 6:59 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    Aww I got all mushy and teary eyed reading this Celia! You’ve got two great boys there :)


  32. on November 20, 2011 at 7:12 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

    Thank you, dear friends. It’s amazing how much any small kindness by our kids can bring us joy, thank you all for understanding! :)


  33. on November 20, 2011 at 8:41 pm Mrs Bok

    Soooooo sweet. YEs he obviously does adore his mum!

    I LOVE vietnamese rolls. So crunchy but soft and spicy and…interesting!


  34. on November 22, 2011 at 4:03 am Sophie33

    Ooooh that’s so sweet of him! You deserve it!!! :)


  35. on November 23, 2011 at 9:30 am David

    I got misty eyed too………. oh what a beautiful pork roll. I have at least one banh mi a week from the N Lee Bakery in Little Collins St – very near where you stayed when you were down here.


  36. on November 24, 2011 at 7:41 am kitchenbutterfly

    Celia – wow. How thankful I am, for you and for inspiring and encouraging. I know the aches and fears of a mum and sometimes it drives me mad…..

    Enjoy your pork sarnies. LOL and Happy American Thanksgiving



Comments are closed.

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Follow @celiafigjam
  • Recent Posts

    • Making Zokin
    • Curry Puff Pastry
    • Hiatus
    • The Glass Lid
    • Denim Revisited
    • Vegan World Peace Cookies
    • Here Be Chickens!
    • A Tale of Two $2 Quilts
    • Daily Quaft Therapy
    • A Repaired Tea Bowl
  • Categories

  • Archives

  • © All text and photos are copyright 2009 - 2023 Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. All rights reserved. Please ask first.

    Protected by Copyscape

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
    • Join 14,063 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

  • Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • %d bloggers like this: