Remember when your parents were invincible? You’d fallen off your bike or got your heart broken, mom could make it all better. She could do anything then and it took a long time to realize the woman in front of me wasn’t actually a superhero.

She’s human and her love could do incredible things, but there’s one thing it could not. She couldn’t save me from losing her.

One can’t be prepared for this moment. Parents get sick, they may spend time in hospitals and they may tell you about what to do after their gone. But that’s not real, it’s like you’re 5 again and they’re reading you a bedtime story. Except I don’t like how this story ends and I want to ask for another book.

When you’re in your teens, you just want to get away. Why would she wear that jacket in public? How embarrassing… What were we really afraid of? (and what was I wearing?) I should have been saying, mom, I wish you’d spend your one day off with me. Put on your play clothes, take off your bra if you want, and lets go visit a public place.

In your 20′s you come back around and realize that your parents are adults too. You both have bills now and I get it, adding a cell phone is expensive. And going to work at 7am is rough, lets commiserate. It’s also a time when you can look back at the fond things in life… And come clean too. Mom, I loved when you’d let me make waterways in the sandbox for hours. I’m so sorry for what I did to your water bill, but that was some of the most pure unadulterated fun I’ve had in life. (I’ll skip the inappropriate confessions. Mom, those will always be just for us. )

Then I hit 30. This was the decade I was going to settle down, maybe get married for real this time. And I’d pop out some grand babies. You were going to make them the most amazing wardrobe, blankets and diaper bags. I wanted to give you something back mom and I’m sorry I couldn’t do it sooner.

She’s gone now, my mom, and I’ll always think about the things I could have done. But she was invincible then and I had so much time to do it right.

What I will say, is that I got to tell her I loved her. And I did, whenever I had the chance. I will be forever grateful for the 30 years I had and the memories we shared.

Mom, I’m glad you’re at peace. I just want to make sure you know how much I love you. I’m so proud of all that you’ve done and I will never stop striving to be like you. I love you!

Slow Soup 2012 presented by Slow Food WiSE and photographed by KB Image Photography

Supporting the local community is important to MillerCoors.  We recently partnered with Slow Food Wisconsin SE to host an event for over 80 Milwaukee area guests with a tasting of locally sourced soups and locally produced beer.  Guests were elated with the smell of soups in the air and the explosion of taste when pairing their each bite with a sip of beer.

Locally produced food and beer is a match made in the kitchen.  Various food flavors enhance how a beer tastes.  For example, pairing a spicy soup with a malty beer allows the spice to be cut and other flavors to emerge.  Recently, we held a special event in the Miller Inn with Slow Food USA supporting good, clean, and fair food.  The Milwaukee chapter of Slow Food USA hosted a “meet and taste” where local restaurants created food using locally sourced ingredients. Farmer (David Kozlowski of Pinehold Gardens),  Chef (Bill Phelps of Cafe Manna) and consumers (Paul & Lori Fredrich of  Burp!) all shared their experiences for the group.

The Soups:

Curried Squash with Cranberry Chutney from Braise a Restaurant

Veracruz Spicy Chicken & Lime from La Merenda

Bourbon Butternut Squash from Cafe Manna

Sausage Lentil from Le Reve Patisserie & Cafe

Vegetarian Mushroom from MKELocalicious

Vegetarian Cauliflower from Roots Restaurant & Cellar

African Peanut & Chicken from The Soup Market