🍽️ Catering with Care: Honoring a Life Through Food
💜 A Weekend I’ll Never Forget
Over the past weekend, my partner Matt and I did something truly unique — something that touched my heart in a way I’ll never forget. It was the first time Kayla Cares LLC had done anything on this level.
Yes, we’ve cooked for clients before — preparing meals with care and comfort in mind. But never did I imagine that a family would ask us to cook for something so meaningful. This weekend, we had the honor of preparing the celebration of life dinner for one of my previous clients — someone who will always hold a special place in my heart.
🌷 Saying “Yes” Without Hesitation
The family had reached out to ask if we would be willing to cook — and of course, we said yes. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation.
Over the following month, as they planned the celebration of life, I was quietly fighting pneumonia. There were moments when I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do it. But as the weeks went by, Matt and I came up with a game plan — something simple, comforting, and familiar.
A buffet-style dinner that felt like home.
🌮 A Meal That Felt Like Him
The family landed on wanting a Mexican-style buffet bar, and that’s where I came in — making it special for my client. Something full of flavor, color, and comfort. It just felt right.
He was someone who loved good food, laughter, and the feeling of everyone gathered together around a meal. A spread like that — with tacos, rice, beans, and all the toppings — felt like a way to celebrate him, not just mourn. It was a dinner made from the heart, for a man who had touched mine.
Matt took time off from his job to help me, and together we went all out to make sure my client was honored in the best way possible. We cooked for hours, filling the kitchen with the smell of spices and warmth. I made a flavorful ground beef taco mixture, his favorite black beans, and made sure we had plenty of tomatoes and cheese — just the way he liked it.
We also prepared a few charcuterie boards — one filled with fresh fruits and veggies, and two with different kinds of meats and cheeses. And of course, we had to have cookies. He always joked that he was the “cooookie monster” (he said it exactly like that), and it felt only right to keep that little piece of him in the meal.
As the food came together, I could feel his presence in every step — in the laughter that filled the kitchen, in the care that went into each dish, and in the quiet moments when I paused and thought of him.
Every detail mattered — because it wasn’t just about serving food. It was about remembering the person behind every favorite dish, every laugh, and every small memory that made him who he was.
💜 More Than a Meal — A Moment of Connection
Having that large group of family and friends gathered together, all sharing stories, felt so warm and genuine. There was laughter mixed with tears, and memories being passed around as easily as plates of food.
For Matt and me, it felt like we weren’t just there to cater — we were part of the family. Being included in that moment of love and remembrance was something I’ll never forget. It reminded me why I do what I do: because care doesn’t end when the job is over. Sometimes, it continues in ways you never expect.
🌷 Closing Reflection
That day reminded me that caregiving doesn’t stop when the visits end. It lives on through the relationships built, the memories shared, and the love that remains.
Cooking for his celebration of life was one of the most emotional and meaningful things I’ve ever done. It was more than food on a table — it was a final act of care, one last thank-you, and a way to say, “You mattered.”
I also had the privilege to make a speech and share poems with his children and grandchildren — small pieces of my heart written for them, filled with love, memories, and gratitude. Standing there, speaking about him, was both emotional and healing. It was an honor to celebrate his life through words, just as we had through food.
I’m grateful that Matt and I were trusted to be part of such a special day. To honor someone who had become more than a client — someone who reminded me why I do this work — was a gift in itself.
As I packed up that night, I felt both sadness and peace. Sadness because goodbyes are never easy, but peace knowing that through food, care, and compassion, we had brought a bit of warmth and comfort to those who loved him most.
That’s what caregiving truly is — being there, in whatever way someone needs, right up until the very end and beyond.
💜
— Kayla and Matt
Kayla Cares LLC
Where personalized care meets the comfort of your home.
For those we’ve cared for, and those we’ll always remember.
