I had many different ideas for this month’s blog. Of course, I tried to get all these ideas into the blog, which is never a good thing. I felt as if my head would explode. It was at this point that I began to day dream, which I’m prone to do when my thoughts get muddled. It is as if my brain shuts off and says, “I’ll get back to you when you get your act together.”
As I stared out of the window and smelled the clean, fresh air gently blowing through I thought about a similar day when I was at my grandmother’s home for a visit. I was sitting in Nonna’s kitchen, the same type of breeze coming through the window. The breeze brought back a wonderful memory of Nonna and her kitchen.
Nonna’s kitchen was, like many kitchens, the heart of the home. It was in this very small kitchen that she cooked for an ever-expanding family. Her 4 daughters with their spouses and 18 grandchildren could never gather at one time for we would literally fill every nook and cranny of her tiny, two bedroom home, but that was always fine with me. I never really enjoyed large family gatherings. As a matter of fact, I never really enjoyed just sitting and visiting.
I used to feel guilty about this because, as a child, all I knew was that visiting was not my cup of tea. Over the years, however, I’ve learned about myself, especially after becoming a mother. And, I’m still learning. While staring out of my window I realized that I am, maybe just a bit, similar to Nonna. She would sit and visit, but she didn’t stay seated for long periods of time. Instead she cooked a meal and talked as she worked in the kitchen. I used to like watching her, but would have been happier helping her.
She had a routine and she didn’t need any assistance. Again, learning a bit about myself, I don’t really care to have assistance in my own kitchen. Unless the assistance comes from some one who can perform the perfect “dance” in the kitchen the extra help becomes a burden. (Of course, if you are willing to scrub the pots and pans you are more than welcome to help.)
I enjoy company and I don’t like to sit down when I have guests. I like to be in my kitchen prepping, cooking and cleaning up. Sure, I’ll sit for the meal, but as soon as I’m done eating I’m ready to go. I’ve never been an “A” type personality, but I do like to always do something. I can talk to my hearts content while I am doing that something. And, if that something is cooking for my friends or family I am happy and I am truly content.
Let me share just one sentence from Nonna’s beautiful eulogy that my cousin Joseph wrote: Nonna taught us “that it is better to do something for someone else than to have them do something for you.” Nonna wasn’t rich in the materialistic sense. But, she gave her family everything. Maybe that is why she always fed us when we visited. She was doing what she could for us and never once asked anything of us. She must have found joy in the simple act of feeding her family.
The food she served was a symbol of her love. It was simple and true. It was plentiful. It nourished the body and the soul. Nonna taught us through her actions that even though you “may not have 100% of everything, you should give 100% of what you have.” I can only hope to carry on her tradition for my husband, children and some day my grandchildren. I’m just not sure if I’ll live up to Nonna’s standards. If you were to ask, “Can I help you with anything?” you will surely find yourself scrubbing a pot or a pan.
I'm having a proud Mom moment and I would like to share it with you. My oldest son, John, is in an orchestra. This evening they had a concert and I vowed I would not cry. I have listened to Hiawatha and Pirates of the Caribbean a thousand times so why in the world would I get weepy? First, I imagine it is the magic of seeing my child perform on stage that causes me to become emotional. Or, it could be I am shedding tears of joy because thousands of dollars spent and countless hours schlepping have truly made a difference. Then again, it could be that I am the biggest sap ever.
