Thursday 25 February 2021

Gateaux Anyone?

 

After Mrs Barker’s funeral, Father Ignatius went to his office and sat at his desk. He picked up the Prayer Card dedicated to her and looking at her photograph, staring back at him, his mind wondered to times past. He smiled to himself.

Father Ignatius was a good priest, he cared for his parishioners dearly and often spent time visiting them at home, or in hospital when they were sick, or at the local Catholic schools.

He remembered how once he had visited Mrs Barker at her home and she offered him coffee and gateaux. She called them gateaux because she had spent some time in France in her youth and had worked in a patisserie. So she prided herself at her little creations.

She had served two of her cakes in little plates and having poured the coffee, she realized she’d forgotten to bring out the sugar. She excused herself and went back to the kitchen.

Father Ignatius was holding the cup of coffee in his hand, and before he could do anything, Mrs Barker’s dog came in, picked up the priest’s gateau in its mouth, and ran in the corner to devour it. 

When she came back in Mrs Barker said: “Finished your gateau already Father? Shall I get you another one?”

He politely declined and felt embarrassed at his apparent greediness.

As happens on such sad occasions, one’s mind wanders to the past and seeks pleasant stories perhaps to alleviate the pain one feels for having lost a loved one.

Father Ignatius’ thoughts wandered from one parishioner to the next. He brought to mind the Hendersons; a lovely young married couple with a three years old child.

When he visited them recently he was surprised to be asked by Mrs Henderson to take off his shoes.

“We have a young child Father,” said Mrs Henderson, “and it’s more hygienic to keep shoes off the house.”

The priest smiled politely and prayed that he hadn’t a big hole in his socks as he slowly took off his shoes. His prayers were readily answered.

He entered the living room where the child was playing with his father. As he made his way to the armchair near the TV, Father Ignatius accidentally stepped on a Lego brick lying on the floor.

The pain was excruciating !!! So sharp and severe that he felt it again right now as he recalled the event in his mind. He remembered tears welling up in his eyes.

He kept his composure and did not let on to what had happened – but since that painful visit he always considered these toy bricks as instruments of torture dating back to the Spanish Inquisition.

His thoughts were free-wheeling now as he recalled one more occasion when he visited another parishioner, Mrs Granger, to return a book he had borrowed.

It was a windy day as he drove to her house, out in the country. Approaching the front door he noticed that it was open. He rang the bell and waited for a while. No response. He rang the bell again when he heard his name being called from the back of the house.

He made his way to the back garden and did not see her at first. But then he heard her cry: “Up here!

 And there she was, half-way up a large oak tree, standing on a thick horizontal branch clasping another branch tightly with both hands for fear of falling.

“Could you put up the ladder please Father?” she asked.

He picked up the ladder lying flat beside the tree and held it in position as she slowly and gingerly made her way down to terra firma.

He was too polite to ask what had happened when she said with a smile: “I went up there because the cat was stranded and was too afraid to get down.”

“Where’s the cat now?” asked the priest.

“Oh … it got down and ran away as soon as I got up there. Then the ladder slipped and left me stranded instead!”

His eyes caught Mrs Barker’s photo once again and he said a silent prayer for the repose of her soul. Her voice reverberated in his head; “Finished your gateau already Father? Shall I get you another one?”

He recalled his long departed mother and prayed for her too as he remembered her favourite saying:

“Always make time to laugh Ignatius. And remember what made you laugh. At times of hardship and sadness you’ll draw strength from those fond memories of happy times.” 

EXCERPT FROM TAKE CARE OF MY SHEEP
CLICK HERE


25 comments:

  1. ...a new cake for me, low cal I assume.

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  2. How awesome you found a photo of a cake shaped like a Lego brick!

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    1. It's a small individual sized gateau, Kathy. Very delicious.

      God bless.

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  3. Hi Victor, as proverbs ch. 17, laughter is good for the soul. Some nice experiences Ignatius has had, as I am sure all of us have had. Was the lady who owned the DOG really called Mrs. BARKER?

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    1. Coincidence maybe. Many Barkers have dogs.

      God bless, Brenda.

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    2. Many dogs are 'barkers' too. (your humour came into my mind regarding this)

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    3. I often don't understand my humour, Brenda.

      God bless always.

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  4. Such a wonderful story, Victor. I loved reading it again!
    Blessings!

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    1. You are very kind, Martha. Thank you so much for your lovely review on the Amazon site. Most grateful for your support.

      God bless.

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  5. Yes! I, too, enjoyed reading this again. Like the line from my favorite song, "For it's the laughter we will remember, when we remember the way we were." Wouldn't this make for a wonderful eulogy?

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    1. Thank you too, Mevely, for your support and encouragement. And for featuring this book on your blog. Much appreciated.

      God bless.

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  6. Great story, Victor. I enjoyed reading it.

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    1. Thank you Bill. It is one of a selection of Fr Ignatius stories in my book.

      God bless.

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  7. Father Ignatius is such a delightful and caring soul.
    We need more people like him in our world.
    Thank you for creating this gentle Saint that is so good.and loving...much like yourself Victor.

    God's Blessings 💮

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    1. The character of Father Ignatius was created in my first book "VISIONS". Since then I have written many short stories and other novels featuring this priest who is based on a number of real priests I have known in my time. I hope you enjoy these stories, Jan.

      God bless always.

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  8. Never heard of that kind of cake before but if it's chocolate I'm sure I'd like it.
    Father Ignatius never knows what a visit will bring. :)

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    1. These small delicate one portion cakes are famous in French patisseries. They are available in many flavours and textures. A box would have a mix of your favourite cakes.

      God bless, Happyone.

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  9. The good father is such a generous man. I'd have taken a 2nd slice, you should never turn down any gateau ever.

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  10. Dearest Victor,
    What a lovely post about Mrs. Barker... who quite well managed to produce the delicious pâtisserie. Having spent time in France of course made her understand all the petit-four and gateaux; all as pleasant for the eye as for the palate. Sadly, Father Ignatius never got to taste it as the dog carried it off!
    The other stories are also great.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I remember the little petit-four and gateaux very well, Mariette, from my youth.

      I'm glad you liked this story. My book has plenty of similar short stories about Father Ignatius.

      God bless.

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  11. Heeheehee! Ah, the sad and the happy mix and keep us always on our toes.

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