Making Toast is poignant and endearing, so much so that I had trouble remembering that it was a true memoir--a story of a father's dedication and love to his deceased daughter.
Written by a grieving father, the story follows the aftermath of a daughter dying unexpectedly, leaving behind a husband and three young children.
The focus is mainly on the family post-death, how the grandparents rearrange their lives to ensure the well being of their grandchildren and son-in-law.
Grandpa “Boppo” and Grandma Ginny leave their spacious home to move into a spare bedroom at their son-in-laws after their daughter’s death. Amy has left behind three children--a six year old, a four year old and a one year old. Boppo and Grandma soon take on parental roles as they make lunches, tell bedtime stories, and try to do everyday tasks like making toast. As they take the children to and from school and to their afterschool programs, Boppo and Ginny cannot imagine their previously quiet and retired lives. Boppo and Ginny are the ones attending recitals and rehearsals all the while sitting next to the young parents who were friends with their Amy. The children miss their Mom, the grandparents miss their child, the husband misses his wife, but together they struggle to move forward. Boppo is angry and hurt that his daughter is dead, and yet all around him the rest of the family even the children seem to be adjusting. I love the little moments between Boppo (Grandpa) and Bubbies (the littlest child)—this little boy will only ever know his mother through his Grandparents… Boppo has to look at this endearing baby boy every day—this silly sweet little motherless baby.
I highly recommend this memoir to all reading groups. The beautiful little paragraphs in this story read like fiction and depict humanity and family from the perspective of a father who has outlived his child.
