One of my family’s quirks is that we love dipping our french fries in soft serve ice cream. I’m not sure when it started but it’s a treat we adore. Mom used to say my two baby Cousins were like her grandchildren because she got to dote on them and spoil them. A few months after Mom passed away, the older sister told her Mom “I don’t have a lot of things in my brain but I have a lot of stuff in my heart. Like Goo Por (what they call my Mom in cantonese). I remember eating ice cream and fries with her.” Since hearing that, I’ve wanted to capture that memory for her and her little sister. The people in this illustration are from right to left: Pika the pup, Mom and my two baby Cousins ordering at the window, my Brother bringing the ice cream, me carrying a couple baskets of fries, my Dad and Cousins at the table waiting to eat, and my friends Selena, Christian and Bonnie in the background getting their poutine game on. 🍟
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Beacon Hill Drive In is somewhere I’ve gone my entire life with my family after visiting the petting zoo or before the scenic drive home along Dallas Road. It was one of the last places we visited together with my Mom - we ordered so much food it almost didn’t fit the table! When we got back to hospice, the nurses couldn’t believe Mom had eaten some oyster burger, onion rings and hot dog! These are difficult memories to revisit, but I really treasure them. Illustrating helps me process my feelings and is also my way of showing how grateful I am for these memories of my Mom. I hope this reminds you of a sunny afternoon spent with some of your favourite people. 🌞