Cheesecake Story

My children and friends know the story behind my annual cheesecake on my birthday. When CB was in grad school at Oregon State University in the 1970's, we were good friends with Steve and Gayla. Steve was in the chem department graduate program along with CB; Gayla and I were both elementary school teachers; and we all lived in married student housing. That's when I learned that Steve always baked Gayla a cake for her birthday! That seemed like a good idea, so I suggested it to CB, and for the past 34 years he has done this for me.

My cake of choice is cheesecake, and CB bakes the best one I've ever had. He follows Craig Claiborne's recipe as adapted by Maida Heatter (in Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts), and he has a few changes he's put in, himself. It is simple and GOOD:

2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 eggs

Beat and add to springform (cheesecake) pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for 90 minutes.

All these years, I've been pleased and proud of my husband (with the children's help) making me a birthday cake every year. MJ came home from college last night and participated in this annual cooking event. I'm glad my children have seen their dad, my husband, make this effort, even during the times that our marriage was strained. What a gift to us all!
~~~~~~~~~~~

But what is really sad is the news I received from Gayla yesterday in a birthday card. (Our friendship has fallen to exchange of birthday and Christmas letters in cards every year.) She wrote to tell me that Steve asked for a divorce in the past year, and it is now final. She still sounds overwhelmed and confused. I'll be calling her today for the first time in about 30 years; she wrote down both her cell and (new) home phone numbers.

The Birthday (or Cheesecake) Cake story is still a good one, especially as CB continues the tradition. Even if Steve doesn't.

I feel ever fortunate, even though today I turn: