“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.”
Memories are what we are. Our memories guide our thoughts and decisions throughout our lives. They are one of our most beautiful and permanent possessions which cannot be destroyed by others: we can choose to ponder, reflect, and relive those precious moments at any time. To me, my Dad was a real-life hero. He was constantly encouraging me to be the best person I can be. If I ever had a problem, he was always there for me. He taught me right from wrong and showed me by his example that family, love and kindness are the most important things in life.
Jerome E. Thomsen was born in New Orleans and dedicated his life to his family, sacrificed his time selflessly for the ones he loved. His stories are to be shared for generations to come. I will never forget what my father has done for us. His love and memories are treasures beyond words, beyond all things, beyond time.
He was a person that taught me about courage, and what it means to be brave. I remember how his face beamed with pride as I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America or How he couldn’t wait to kiss my Mother to start his day. He taught me to be proud of who I am, where I have come from and to be humble in my accomplishments. My father has guided me, taught me, allowed me to lean on him when I needed it, and has let go of me when it was time for me to try it on my own. I always felt growing up, that I would be lost without him, and when he passed away still to this day I find myself asking him what would Dad say or do with the question in hand.
You see I got into this business because of him, Dad was a “closet chef”. He was the one who did most of the food shopping after a long day at work with recipes he cut out of food & wine or gourmet magazine that day. I loved watching him cook!! He weighted and measured all ingredients, making a HUGE mess when he was done (Mom thanks for cleaning up every time!) But in the end we would sit down to a high end restaurant type meal. So, I know I do my job everyday knowing he is right their in the kitchen with me ( I even still use one of his knives).
He was not only a great cook, an impeccable dressed man, great best friend, a gentleman with a golden heart and a loving son to Grandma Fanny & husband to my Mother Elena! It was a honor to watch and learn from this amazing mentor of life. Even in the last days of his life my Mom told me that he ask her “what is happening to us?” because he cared soooo deeply for his wife and family.
He always signed his hand written letters to me “Here’s to your happiness and success, Love you Dad”
The last memory of my Dad was helping him take a drink while we watched a football game on TV in the hospital before he passed away. His voice and his hands will forever be alive in my mind and heart. Don’t let your memories slip away, unshared. I implore you to take a moment to capture with pen and paper a tribute to your own father, and share it while you can.
Jerome E Thomsen
July 5, 1918 – December 20, 2007