A series of essays….
 |
GAVIN AND GRIMIN WAITING IN THE LOBBY OF THE AMWAY GRAND PLAZA HOTEL TO BE SEATED FOR DINNER |
….as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
Many of us still enjoy the tasty pleasure of eating a well cut, brilliantly cooked, sizzlingly presented steak. I do. Apologies to my dear vegan and plant based friends. I don’t indulge on a regular basis, but when I do it should meet most of the requirements stated above because it is a special treat for me and fully intended as such.
When we found out that our twelve-year-old grandson, Gavin, was feeling a little bummed by missing a trip to Disney World in May (even though he would not admit it because he’s just so darn sweet and kind), Dan and I decided to ‘cook up’ something totally special just for him. Well, for us, too, but to share it all with Gavin and have him be the center of attention.
Call it a phase (I can recall many of my own while growing up), but he is so into having steak right now and, if truth be told, could enjoy having it every single day! He’s very picky about his choice of protein which means that mealtime selections can be interesting, as well as the exact preparation of the beef, chicken, turkey, along with his sides. His Mom often finds herself preparing something a little different for him which makes dinner prep more challenging for her.
I have heard of this kind of eating behavior before having much to do with the texture of various foods and how individuals react to them. If children are hypersensitive to tactile input, they will be less willing to get messy, can be particular about clothing, and could be picky eaters with a strong preference for food of a specific texture only. Hopefully, this too may just be a phase that will change for him, given time.
 |
GAVIN AND PAPA ENJOYING THE POOL |
Securing parental permission first, Dan and I decided that a bit of good food and overall pampering in general was in order and made reservations for three at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Grand Rapids. With an overnight stay at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel a must, we coupled it with a ballgame the next day at the LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, a High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The three of us were a little pumped for over a month waiting for our mini-excursion in Grand Rapids to begin!
After a long swim in the pool with Papa, the appetite for the upcoming evening meal was enormous. A quick shower and change of clothes for them and we found ourselves being seated promptly at seven for dinner. Our adorable waitress, Jen, asked if we’d eaten there before and quickly discovered that this was a first for Gavin and that he was very excited by the prospect. Well, he swiftly became a pampered young prince for the duration of our meal, getting to select his own steak knife (He chose well: a Laguiole Light Horn Steak Knife made in France with the signature bee motif) and constantly being attended to.
 |
GAVIN IS IN ANTICIPATION MODE |
 |
PRESENTATION OF HIS PETIT FILET |
 |
YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT, GAVIN! |
 |
ONE VERY HAPPY YOUNG MAN |
Having selected the petit cut filet, cooked medium well, for his meal, Gavin slid into anticipation mode, turning a bit glassy eyed while inhaling the sizzling butter aroma of each and every steak that the staff carried loftily by our table. Dan and I were right there with him. We were told that the steak selections came out on very hot plates ranging up to 500 degrees in order to maintain their sizzle and temperature for a long time. They did not exaggerate. But the accentuated aroma of browned butter and steak perpetuated by the high temperature was indeed music to our ears. We joined him in anticipation mode.
Dinner was, of course, a major success and the salad starter and side of sweet potato casserole made the meal simply devine. After Dan ordered the bread pudding with Bourbon sauce for dessert and Gavin and I declined, spritely Jen brought out a special treat especially for our ‘first timer.’ It consisted of chocolate mousse covered in fresh whipped cream and nestled in an edible chocolate cup with a side of fresh fruit and cream. ‘Congratulations’ handwritten on the plate was his badge of honor and graciously initiated him into the world of delectable but high priced steak with a staff who knew how to make each guest feel like royalty.
 |
GAVIN’S BADGE OF HONOR - A SWEET TREAT |
As Dan and I lay in bed listening to Gavin’s satisfied breathing coming from the next bed, we couldn’t help but smile remembering the good-humored banter exchanged throughout the evening and especially before dozing off. If food is love, he was very happy falling into dreamland that night.
Unanimously, it was decided to take a short walk to Panera Bread outside the hotel for breakfast. The morning was warm and sunny; a great day for a baseball game, or so we hoped. I was concerned by the sun and knew we’d packed sunscreen for later. We lost Gavin for a few moments after entering the restaurant when he held back, holding open the tall, heavy doors for a lady going out after picking up her large take-out order. She gave him an enormous smile and a genuine thank you as she slipped by him. Kudos to his parents. They are certainly doing something right.
We had already packed our small bags and left them in the room, so a leisurely walk back to the hotel was in order. Check-out was at eleven with the first pitch of the game slated for one o’clock.
By the time we got to our designated seats, the sky had turned slate gray and lost any sunshine and pale blue sky we had enjoyed earlier. First pitch — first raindrops. The game went on and everyone sat there through two innings and a tie game of one to one before the distant sound of thunder arrived, forcing us to vacate the seats and move under the slight protection at the top of the stands.
 |
OH, NOOOO!! |
An hour and a half later, with all hope in our hearts of continuing the game lost, the three of us, dejectedly, marched back to our car. They did not call the game for, at least, forty-five minutes after we’d left. But, a little bird had told us earlier (Mom) that Gavin liked playing the indoor games at Dave & Buster’s on 28th Street. As the rain poured in buckets outside, Gavin played to his heart’s content, high and dry, inside.
 |
HANGING OUT AT DAVE & BUSTER’S |
Unfortunately for us, they resumed the ballgame the next day, but we had our own commitments which negated our return to LMCU Ballpark for the finish of the game.
With smiles on our faces, Dan headed back to Kalamazoo. Our beautiful memories of this time with our grandson will live in our hearts, forever. And, we hope, The Little Prince of Ruth’s Chris will tuck back some wonderful memories of his own to pull out and enjoy every now and again. After all — isn’t this what life is all about?
Thank you, Gavin. Papa and Grimin love you!
 |
| MOVING ON…..2013-2023 |
Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
Photo copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
