On December 31, 2014, I lost my father, David Sutherland, to cancer.
The wave of emotions that hit me that day is difficult to describe, but I know it's something many people can relate to. The cancer took his life less than two months after it was discovered. Fortunately, I had the chance to spend several precious days with him before he passed. I sat beside him, held his hand, and thought about the many memories we shared.
This is the first time I’ve written about my dad since he passed.
For nearly a year I pulled away from social media completely. I even removed Facebook from my phone during the drive home from California to Arizona. Occasionally I would look at posts from my laptop, but I rarely interacted. I needed time to process everything.
The year that followed was difficult. Holidays, milestones, and everyday moments all reminded me of his absence — his smile, his laugh, his curiosity about the world.
Then something unexpected happened.
In mid-November I lost my high-tech executive job. I found myself unemployed and struggling with depression. Instead of trying to return to the same path, I decided to finally take a chance on something I had thought about for years.
I started roasting and selling nuts.
It was a big change. A huge risk. But it gave me something positive to focus on.
Nutsack Nuts began as a way to keep myself moving forward during a difficult time, but it quickly became something more meaningful.
In honor of my father, I donated $100 to the Cancer Research Institute. Every year since then, Nutsack Nuts has contributed a portion of revenue to cancer research in his memory.
Cancer has the power to devastate families in ways words can’t fully capture. Research is how we fight back. While I can’t cure the disease, I can do my small part to support the people working toward that goal.
If you'd like to help, you can also donate directly to the Cancer Research Institute.
And of course, supporting this little nut roasting company helps too.
Behind the jokes and the puns is something sincere. Nutsack Nuts is about enjoying good food, sharing it with people you care about, and finding moments of joy even during difficult times.
So grab a Nutsack, share it with friends, and enjoy life.
With gratitude,
Bill Sutherland
Chief Executive Nut
Comments (3)
I feel for you bill,its really painful. I also lost my brother to colon cancer feb. 2013 since then we havent recovered from the shock.
Bill you are an image of your dad in so many ways i cried most of the way home that day and still cant bekieve he was taken so quickly. i have felt guilty that i was not taken long ago with my cancer since he had so much of a loving family it wasnt fair. I find myself starting to pick up ntthe phone and just chat and laugh with him. i never could have asked for a better brother . i loved him so much.
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Brought tears to my eyes Bill. I feel for you my friend.