Coconut Lemon Layer Cake

I saved this recipe for the last of my “In Memory of My Father” posts because, in fact, this Coconut Lemon Layer Cake was the last birthday cake I made him for his 95^th birthday-last June 29-just about one year ago. I had made him this same cake for his 90^th birthday-five years before. Whenever I suggested to Dad that I make him a party, his first instinct was to refuse. Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I am not so easily deterred.  At both birthday celebrations, I gathered together not only our immediate family but also his nieces – the daughters of his oldest and youngest sisters (both deceased): two in their 80s and one in her 60s. Dad was thrilled. What made the 95^th birthday party even more special was that his great grandchildren were old enough to really be present. They even made cards which they proudly gave to their Great Grandfather.

At that last party, Dad came prepared. He spoke at length about the importance of having good doctors who could maintain you through your old age. He spoke about how hard it was to get old and not be able to do all the things you used to do. He spoke about his medical massage therapist; who not only helped his circulation so that he could walk better; but whose office also provided him with a place where he could speak with other people of his age and some younger. When the therapist came to visit us during Shiva, she told us that Dad insisted on being called Arthur and was very chatty with the other clients. She gave us a whole other view of Dad’s personality.

Dad’s proudest moment was when he pulled out a letter he had received from the White House. Anyone who knew Dad well knew that he was prone to writing letters and giving advice-advice to us and apparently advice to the President. Dad had been a staunch Republican for most of his life; but about twenty years ago he had a change of heart and became a Democrat. Lately, he was not happy with the way government was going. He read a long letter from President Obama thanking him for his interest in creating better solutions for the problems our country faces. It wasn’t until my brother and I started going through some papers that we found the letter to which the President  had responded. Dad had recommended that President Obama remove all the pieces of Obamacare that were objectionable to the Republicans and start again on a bi-partisan basis.  We also found stock trades that he had been making until the last weeks of his life.

Dad was grateful. He felt that he had lived life to the fullest. He had loved and cared for our Mother for almost 67 years; and still felt that she was “the most wonderful woman in the world.” Every night, he would give her a hug and she would pull the covers over his shoulders- and then they would go to sleep-in the same bed for 66+ years.

The picture I posted with my eulogy almost 30 days ago shows Dad and Mom at the table with this Coconut Cake lit with candles for his 95^th birthday. He was surrounded by his wife, children grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces – facing his favorite cake. He was content. He knew he had made mistakes in his life that he was never able to verbalize; but, on balance, he knew he had been a very lucky man and he was ready to move on. May his memory be for a blessing.

The combination of the tart creamy lemon filling, the sweet marshmallowy frosting and the chewy fresh coconut is just wonderful!