By Angel Blair
I’ve been thinking about family a lot lately. As time passes and the years roll by, I find myself missing those I’ve lost with growing heartache and longing for family history that will never be completely whole. There are so many questions I still have – gaps in time and incomplete stories that leave only trails of puzzlement now.
Having children has amplified this realization. And it’s funny because growing up, I never truly realized how greatly my family’s history, culture, and values would influence me and how I would raise my own children one day. Or how I would long for family tales and retellings of past stories. But you don’t think about these things when you’re young. We naively think our family will live forever and that they’ll be there when we have questions or need support and guidance for the paths we’re trying to forge. Sadly, this isn’t reality, which is why it’s so important to explore family roots and culture while we have the opportunity and chance to do so.
When I was a kid, I knew my family had certain traditions and practices they superstitiously repeated, but I didn’t understand why. I only knew there were some traditions I liked and some I didn’t, some I looked forward to and others I groaned about when they arrived. My family was loyal and honored their Italian heritage in whatever ways they could, and valued traditions that involved food especially.
Food was everything a lot of the time; the center of family gatherings, the reason for teachings and passing down recipes and culinary skills to the next generation. I never fully appreciated this either until it was gone and I was left having to blindly fill in holes in recipes and produce different concoctions because things needed revamping. Luckily, I still have some family that can help complete these blanks and help me to continuously appreciate what I have while it’s still here. I will always appreciate a good pizzelle, Italian bread, and meatballs thanks to my family.
My girls are at the age where everything is a question, and they ask more about our families and who/where people are every day. I’ve made sure to carry on family traditions with them, and they ask why we do certain things. I love this. Even if I don’t have good enough reasons for it other than saying “it’s tradition,” I hope they’ll continue to ask questions about our family and its culture so they can learn and soak in more than I did growing up. I want them to appreciate history and tradition and have values they’ll one day instill in their own family. To be loyal and honest, to talk with their hands (lol), and to appreciate really good food.
About Angel:
My name is Angel Blair, I am a mom to beautiful twin girls and hold degrees in counseling from schools outside of the Philadelphia area. I’ve worked with the MS community in the past, and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in helping others. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing, reading, and traveling.