Passing the Torch

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As children, we’re entrusted to the care of our parents, a role that encompasses a wide array of tasks that will intrinsically influence who a person will become. In our development we’re sculpted by our inherited diet, activity level and environment- a splash of love, pinch of experience and we have a nicely rendered human being. A now 30 yr old man, my senses electrify and revitalize when exposed to family tradition that predates the battlefield of adulthood. The smell of fresh casatiello, pizza scarola, and freshly fried fittina exist in my Never Never Land complimented by the clean Saturday aroma of bleach and dusting aerosol to jumpstart my morning. At this point you’ve probably deduced that I’m not just any Dad, and you’d be right, I’m a cool Dad.

Growing up at 57 Ba*****, I can still smell the sweet aroma of espresso bubbling in the percolator. It would quickly envelop the entire house, navigating the 4 level back-split with ease and signalling the beginning of a new day. Soon after, the 7am sizzle of freshly fried chicken cutlets suggested that I was going to school with the crown jewel of lunches, a 5 pound panini stuffed with love – compliments of Nonna. I can still remember the grand panino menu usually a recreation of what I was craving – a concept that started in my mind, was voiced and transformed into a bona fide trophy sandwich. From prosciutto and fresh garden tomatoes, polpette (meatballs) and rapini or a classic sausage and pepper combo, Nonna elevated my lunch status to CPO (Chief Panino Officer). These sandwiches were so good they could be monetized and/or traded for loot- though barter usually implies an equal trade which was never the case. Are you hungry?

Snacktime…brb.

Being able to retrieve these memories has proven to be one of my biggest assets, a great way to escape a painful situation or cope with loss. An asset that I believe to be of such enduring high value, that I vow to expose my daughter to these “happy thoughts”, hoping that these too will be her fuel to fly (I won’t forget the fairy dust).

COVID19 continues to test our endurance and fortitude as most of us sit in distress, trying to pray a rewind button into existence. I personally have abandoned the concept of time travel and am looking ahead to the future, trying my best to construct a reality in which my daughter has elements of our (my wife and I) traditions in the absence of its most vital components, our family. And then came Easter….

Being blessed by the company of great women, my wife was ready and willing to tackle some of our chief Italian Easter staples. To truly understand the significance of this act, you need to know that, in my experience, these were historically made by our angel thus to say that this person had big shoes to fill, would be an understatement.

A sentiment that I would echo to anyone pursuing a similar task….

By chance, osmosis, or genetics we had takeoff in every household trying to recreate not only the food but a version of a feeling we so long had but now yearn for. It is more evident now than in my lifetime to not take people for granted. As a byproduct of this pandemic, we’re reminded to cherish our lives, the people in them & the experiences we hold dear.

Though I think that it will never be the same, I believe that it shouldn’t be- we’re different, we’re inspired by our heart and have been passed the torch to produce our own interpretations guided by our recollection.

What we can do is really a testament to the hard work of our elders & a value system that we carry on in their memory.

From what I’m seeing, we’re not doing too bad. ❤

Bon Appetit