My twin brother, David, has always believed that he and I are “identical twins!” I believe we are “fraternal twins,” similar but different. Beginning with our names! My twin brother’s name is David Milous Wright and mine is Darrin Marcellus Wright. David’s middle name is from my father’s name, Milous, and my middle name is from our grandfather’s name, Marcellus. Incidentally my grandfather’s wife’s name was Elizabeth (“Lizzy” for Southerners from Georgia) just like my wife, Elizabeth (Liz), from Mexico.
Our general appearance is similar but different; I am always heavier than David. If he weighs 200 pounds, I weigh 250. We do have the same color of eyes, but mine are larger than his. I have always been slightly more muscular than David. But David is the oldest, by seven minutes! I have always been better at sports than David (except for bowling), especially in basketball, but David is the most competitive and fearless in small groups of basketball, such as two on two or three on three. Even our favorite teams are similar but different. I love the Detroit Lions; he loves the Cincinnati Bengals (Lions and Tigers).
David and I were both raised playing musical instruments. David played the flute and I played the clarinet. However, David excelled in music; he lives for it. He is a master flutist and earned his Master of Music Education/Performance. I, on the other hand, did not continue with music, because though talented, according to my sisters, I hated playing in front of crowds of people. I, like David in basketball, preferred to play in very small groups. But like David, I continued my education and earned a master’s in nursing education. We come from a family of teachers.
My twin brother and I have chosen different paths, but we share a common goal, to love God and to make a difference in the lives of others we serve. For David this is by teaching music and for me, it’s by practicing nursing, no matter where we are.
David lives in Northern California and I live in Southern California. But at Christmas, and on our birthdays, we come together as family. This past Christmas, he and his wife and my wife went to Disneyland together. But when we arrived home, the differences persisted. For dessert, I love German chocolate cake. David will eat German chocolate cake, but his preference is chocolate white cake. Similar but different.
We loved sitting around the table with family, discussing current events, sporting events or just plain general conversation. In the past, my father would always pray for us, and my mother would always cook. Now, my wife cooks for us and she always makes both German chocolate cake for me and chocolate white cake for David. Incidentally German chocolate cake is my father’s favorite dessert.
During dinner, sitting around the table, we cherish our differences. They make for good conversation and openness, even though we occasionally argue about them, each trying to prove the other wrong. I love the laughter and the intensity of our conversations. It’s just good to be together.
Being together, despite our differences, means we accept each other’s unique perspectives on life, even when it comes time for dessert. We respect each other’s preferences or values (even if not always shared) and we appreciate and support each other rather than simply pursuing sameness. My brother and I do not have to agree on everything, but we do have mutual respect and can appreciate each other’s differences. Besides, our differences often bring new insights and perspectives that we would not have realized otherwise.
Sitting around the table at Christmas, eating German chocolate cake or chocolate white cake, is like a “taste of heaven.” Eating our favorite desserts reminds us how great and generous God is, and how blessed we are.
German Chocolate Cake
Ingredients for the cake:
- 4 oz sweet baking chocolate
- ½ cup water
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour or 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), room temperature
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- cocoa powder
- oil
Ingredients for the Coconut-Pecan Filling and Topping:
- 1 cup granulated sugar or packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Instructions to make the chocolate cake:
Step 1: Combine dry ingredients (sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt). Combine wet ingredients (eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla). Mix and stir in boiling water.
Step 2: Pour batter into prepared 8 or 9-inch round baking pans. I like to cut a round piece of wax or parchment paper for the bottom of the pan so the cake comes out easily. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes.
Instructions to make the German chocolate frosting:
Step 1: Combine ½ cup of light brown sugar, ½ cup of granulated sugar, ½ cup of butter, 3 egg yolks, and ¾ cup of evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, nuts, and coconut. Allow it to cool completely before layering it on the cake.
Instructions to make the chocolate frosting:
Step 1: Melt butter, stir in cocoa powder, slowly add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount of additional milk, if needed to thin the frosting, or a little extra powder, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in vanilla.
Instructions to assemble:
Step 1: Place one of the cake rounds on your serving stand or plate. Smooth a thin layer of chocolate over the cake layer and then spoon half of the coconut frosting on top, spreading it into a smooth layer. Leave about ½ inch between the filling and edge of cake. Stack the second cake round on top. Smooth chocolate frosting over the entire cake. Spoon remaining coconut frosting on the top of the cake.
Darrin Wright is an associate lead elder at the La Sierra University Church, associate director of the FoodPantry+, and he enjoys teaching at Destination Sabbath School.