Crêpes Suzette

One volunteer serves through her cooking.  On her shift day, K. often arrives on the ward with unusual utensils and grocery bags in tow.  Her brunch of Crepes Suzette, with berries and cream and sausage links, is a hands-down favorite. 

In good weather she sets up the griddle outside. The activities therapist brings platters of tiny sausage links out from the microwave inside, along with many jars of syrup and pureed jam. The patio area (just off the hospice unit at Laguna Honda) transforms into an outdoor café, the table is laden with plates and cups, fresh juice and berries and cream. 

The residents, volunteers, and staff circle about like honeybees! Mike, who was so often so very sick, invariably rose to the occasion on these days and became the host, urging people to partake of the goodies, presiding with dignity and cordiality. 

One day last fall, it was like a wheelchair convention out there on the patio, with six or seven wheelchairs clustered about the table along, several folks sitting on chairs, and a few others drifting around the edges. K.’s dog, Truffles, was in her element with the occasional dropped sausage as her treat. We volunteers toured the ward with plates. The mood was festive and communal and relaxed. It felt like a gathering of friends in a city park on a fine summer’s day.