For two years Lori came to the kitchen every Wednesday morning and picked up soups to be delivered to schools in Oregon City. Those two years were hard for me. Business was booming, but it was relentless and many days of the week i was cooking solo. On those Wednesdays, Lori and I were able to get in 20 to 30 minutes to catch up – talk about our kids, families, Lori’s new career. current events, politics and our favorite, “food finds.” As I told her husband John, sometimes that was my only social interaction for the rest of the week because I was so busy. It would totally boost my energy and change my mood after those short visits, giving me lots to think about throughout the day. Lori delivered the soups for gas money and two quarts of soup to take home. She insisted this be the arrangement.
When my soup gig seemed overwhelming and sort of accidental some of the time, Lori facilitated a way for us to grow by helping me get our first commercial kitchen and to finally put “big girl” systems into place. If it were not for this kitchen and her generosity, I doubt I would have stayed in business.
Lori always checked in, reached out with special messages to let me know she was thinking about me and our family, and always left me with a smile. I will hold her in my heart for this snippet of her in my life represents how she was for so many people and how she contributed to everyone’s life in so many other ways. I miss you Lori Larson.