Dear readers,
These are the hardest words I will ever have to write. My husband, Tim Ketchum, died suddenly last week of what was first thought to be an abdominal aneurysm. Doctors now think he may have had a genetic connective tissue disorder that weakened the structure of his aorta.
He was my partner in every sense of the word. He was my best friend, my confidante, my safe place. And oh, he was such an amazing father. He shared the burden of raising our three children with gusto, being present in a way that most dads will never be.
Everyone who ever met Tim loved him. Even people who only met him in passing were charmed by him. Warm, compassionate, loving, thoughtful. And funny as hell! I fell in love with him because he made me laugh. And even as life became more complicated and serious, we never lost that connection, that goofiness and silliness that made every situation easier to bear.
I feel compelled to share here because I am not quite sure what the future looks like. Certainly for the near term, I will be scaling back my time on All Day I Dream About Food so I can focus on my family and my grief. You will still see posts and recipes from me, but I don’t quite know with what frequency. I will be taking the easy route, updating older posts and sharing simple recipes. I have a backlog of some already that I can share over the next few weeks. I also have help with my social media and I am every so grateful to Stephanie, who has taken over my Facebook page completely for now.
Then again, I may decide to lose myself in the process of baking and create some amazing keto cakes. I honestly don’t know what I want or what I need right now. But I ask that you give me grace for not answering your questions in a timely fashion.
How you can help
I am so fortunate to have created an amazing community of readers and followers, some of whom have been with me for over a decade. I know many of you will want to help in some way. And I am grateful for your thoughts and your kindness.
The best thing you can do is keep coming to my website, reading my posts (both new and old), and sharing my posts on social media. Share to groups, share with friends, and pin my recipes to your Pinterest boards. This website has been my family’s source of income for many years now and views will generate much needed ad revenue. I know that ads can be cumbersome, but I ask that you take time to scroll through each post a little bit.
Another great way to help me is to purchase my cookbooks. In particular, pre-order my upcoming book, The Protein Advantage. I will not have much time to promote it now, but it’s something I worked so hard on. I would love to see it succeed and pre-orders make a huge difference to the overall sales of the book. It helps retailers decide how many copies they want to keep on their shelves. And I can assure you, it’s a book worthy of your time.
Thank you for reading. If you are a spiritual person, please send up some thoughts for the wonderful Tim Ketchum. He was a light in the world and touched so many people. I can say confidently that if you had met him, you would have loved him.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Dear Carolyn,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. I totally understand as I too am a widow. My husband passed two years ago. Please take it one breath at a time, one step at a time, one day at a time. Be gently with yourself. Grief is a long journey; just go with it. Over time It will come and go. Expect you will be in a fog on and off during the first year. Please join a widow group. There are many online as well as local in person groups through counties, churches, etc., etc.. But beware scammers will try to prey on your vulnerability. Hugs.
Carolyn,
My heart is heavy for you. Death is a difficult part of life, especially when it’s so sudden. It warms my heart that he walked with faith, living his life for his family. You were, indeed, blessed. Take time to grieve…
Sending hugs and prayers,
Donna Milis
Wow~so so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing, I am saying a prayer for you and your family right now.
Dear Carolyn,
I am profoundly saddened to hear of the sudden passing of your beloved husband, Tim. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this unimaginably difficult time. Tim was not only a cherished partner but also a remarkable individual whose warmth and kindness touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In moments like these, words often fall short, yet I hope you find some comfort in the memories you shared together and the love you continue to hold in your heart. It is evident that he was not only a wonderful father to your children but also a steadfast companion who brought laughter and joy into your life.
As you navigate through your grief, please know that you are surrounded by a community that cares deeply for you and your family. We are here to support you in any way possible. Whether through sharing memories, reading your posts, or simply offering a listening ear, we stand beside you.
Take all the time you need to heal, and remember that it is perfectly acceptable to seek solace in your passions, like baking, as a means to honor Tim’s memory. Your strength and resilience will guide you through this journey, and we will be here, ready to support you as you move forward.
With deepest sympathy,
judy major
Carolyn – please accept my condolences for the loss on this earth of your husband, Tim. Take good care of yourself for your well-being, and the sake of your children. Grief has no time limits, it ebbs and flows, but I pray that your days will be filled with more smiles and less tears.
I am so heartbroken for you and all of your family and friends. I will be praying for your grief. Please take care of yourself. Sending love. 💔🤍
So truly sorry for your loss. How fortunate you were to have found the love of your life and able to share part of your life together. There are no words that will fill the void his passing has left in your heart mind and soul. May good thoughts and prayers give you strength. God be with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. We all are. May the God of all comfort comfort you and your loved ones during this most difficult of times.
So sorry for your loss. Its very hard to go thru the heartbreak of one’s soulmate. I’ll be praying for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss: may your best memories of your husband bring you some solace in this journey.
I will watch everything you have posted and we will gladly order the new book, because it always brings joy to our house to try your recipes. Give yourself, children and extended family as much attention and time as needed to navigate the path forward and know your spirit and enthusiasm for your craft will keep us nourished in the meantime.
Carolyn,
I’m so sorry for loss. Thank you for being you and helping me become a better and healthier person. I’m thinking about you, and pray you get through tough time… you are not alone.
Thank you so much for sharing during such a vulnerable time of grief and loss. I only began following your site a few months ago, but I’ve already been so inspired by your incredible desserts and recipes. I’m excited to try them and will continue to visit and share your work with friends and family. I know your community will surround you with love and support. I’m praying for peace, comfort, and deepening bonds as you and your loved ones navigate this significant time of loss.
My heart aches for you and your family. My husband passed 2 years ago, so I can understand your pain. I will lift you up in prayer, my friend. May God wrap his loving arms around you and fill your house with His love.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Grief is a hard road you travel it however you may.
If you send something out you do if you don’t that’s fine.
I’m sure everyone will understand.