This is my husband's favorite breakfast restaraunt. Very tiny and drab, the style is pure diner. Their customers are mostly several locals who come on a regular basis, usually for breakfast. Many of them have gotten to know each other by sight. My husband has been going here one morning a week for many years. And so has a man in his golden years, Sammy. My husband would nod at him and they would speak a few words on occasion. Every Saturday, Sammy came in with his son, and he always brought a huge tomato with him. While he waited on his breakfast order, he would take his time and make a great fuss over cutting the tomato up. Almost everyone there knew Sammy, his son, and the tomato. Last Saturday, Sammy's son came in. No Sammy. Then his grandson came in. Still no Sammy. His son took out a huge tomato, put it on the table, and they sat down and cried. I need go no further, do I, gentle reader? On his way out, my husband stopped by their table, shook their hands and gave his condolences. This is a picture of the most perfect tomato I could find. Sammy, If you're looking down, this one's for you.
One of the first things that Jesus did after he rose was cook breakfast. The king of kings cooking breakfast for his friends! "When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread...Jesus said to them "Come and have breakfast"...Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish." John 21
27 comments:
I have tears--for Sammy and for my mother. Mother always took a tomato with her when she went to K&W for breakfast. She loved sliced tomatoes with her breakfast and felt they charged too much for one--even when she wasn't paying!!
Best,
Bonnie
me to on tears in my eyes, you did a wonderful story on Sammy, and i think your header is what Sammie is looking down on with a big smile. Love that header, they look like they are floating in air. i like eating tomatoes like you would an apple, with salt of course. we used to pick them off the bush, wipe them on our jeans and gobble them down. yum not the drool is mixing with the tears.
That is truly a touching memory.
Blessings,Ruth
A wonderfully written tribute to Sammy.
Sammy must have grown his own tomatoes with loving care. What an amazing story! And what a beautiful tribute to a father and grandfather to honor him in this simple but thoughtful way... continuing a tradition in his memory.
Beth here -- that is so touching. He will always be remembered by the tomato by many....
There's nothing quite like a tomato that has clung to the vine until it is perfectly ripe, ready to be consumed, providing joy and nutrition to the one for whom it was intended! Hmmmmm, is there a parallel message for us to cling to The Vine until we are perfectly ready for the assignment He has given us?
I loved this story! How touching, meaningful and lovingly written. Your photo makes me drool! I love my tomatoes with salt and pepper, but a dear old friend of mine always used - a sprinkle of sugar!
I was really touched by this post, Ginny.
It was a wonderful tribute to Sammy. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
Hi Ginny - What a nice tribute you've written for your friend! He certainly will be looking down at that tomato and is a happy chef with many crowns in Heaven!
What a gentle way to break the news...to us. And maybe to the diner patrons. A fresh garden tomato is almost perfection.
I hav etomatoes up today, too...must be the season.
This is a very poignant story. It was nice of you to find this tomato for Sammy.
Very touching post.
I guess you won't be surprised if aI say that I took some pictures of tomatoes today...? First "harvest" of the small ones I've been growing on my balcony. But I will probably have to take most of them in while still green, the sun seems to have abandoned us.
Oh what a sweet story, Ginny. I will never think of a beautiful tomato again without thinking of Sammy... God Rest his Soul... (Makes me want to cry.)
The best restaurants are usually those that look a little shabby on the outside... Those are the ones the 'locals' love --and not the tourists.... YUM!!!!!
Great post, my friend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Oh my, that brought a tear to my eye.... It's amazing how the smallest things can make such an impact on our lives.
Great story, Ginny! Love your header, very appropriate!
Have a fabulous day!
Oh Ginny, what a lovely tribute to Sammy's memory. I'm sure he will be much missed by not only his family but all the patron's of the diner.
I love your header photo. It sounds like a lot of us were taking tomato photos this weekend.
Ginny, this was simply touching..can't believe what a big baby I am..very nice job and tribute- thank you
A beautiful post and tribute to Sammy.
What a beautiful tribute to this gentle man and the informal community that grew around him in this magical place. The world needs more gathering places like this. And observers like you to share their story.
May Sammy's memory always be a blessing. May his family - and all of us - always have plenty of tomatoes to share.
that restaurant is pretty much similar to my hubby's favorite diner too. the first time i came here he brought me there and it was the very first real american breakfast that i had.
A very touching story Ginny. I was moved with compassion for the relatives.
Hi Ginny, That was a nice post about your friend and very sad.
xxoo
Deborah
PS. I canceled my other comment, I didn't finish it and it was published. (sorry)
I don't think Sammy would want us to be sad but it's hard to read something like this without being sad. Great story!
Aww, Ginny, this just brought tears to my eyes. Peace be with him and with his family.
Ever Johnny on the spot I had to jump back in and let you know that you can also use it in cakes, cookies and ice cream.
Sad for Sammy and for your Husband, pity they never got to know each other.
That is a lovely perfect tomato for the man. A great tribute.
Hi Ginny! Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. You don't remember the drunk astronaut business a few years back? This was revealed about the time that Astronaut Novack or whatever her name was drove across country in a diaper to assault another astronaut. I don't remember anything really negative about it; in fact, most of the comments were very amusing and much along the same lines as what I posted. Anyway, drunk in take off would not be as bad as drunk on landing. I think I see another post coming! :)
Jane
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