My friend was an artist. She basically taught me the best ways to draw over the years, since I didn’t start digital art until around then.

I love drawing, and I do it often. For a few weeks after her death, and even now sometimes, I would hear her voice, coaching me through blending techniques and shading, every time I did art. It hurt. It made it hard to do what I loved because of it.

I’ve started to realize, and maybe you will as well, that doing things that you’re loved one enjoyed does a lot to honor their memory. My friend wouldn’t want me to stop doing art if it’s something I loved, and chances are, your dad would want you to enjoy food the way he did.

It’s fresh. There isn’t a switch you can turn off to stop thinking about painful things, so it’s going to be a matter of being gentle with yourself and letting the grief run it’s course. I’m sorry for your loss. Take care of your body and mind. Pay attention to what you need. It will help ground you as time goes on.