Sicily!

Sicily! Only a word to a young little girl meeting her grandparents for the first time in 1951. How strange that Mom and Dad spoke another language we children could not understand. Of course, you better behave, no matter what language, is easily understood! My two brothers and I met Maria and Salvatore in New York down by the huge ships and were not quite sure as to what that meant to us. It seemed an eternal trip to return from the New York City to Hartford, all seven of us squeezed into our father's car. Grandpa was heavy so he took up a lot of room and Grandma looked happy to see her only son and to be in the U.S. again after being away so long.

The huge steamer trunk arrived a few days later and I learned more about Sicily, living on the Mediterranean and about making wine. Family tradition was passed on in the form of church, holidays and eating of wonderful Italian dinners. Once my father made us eat tripe...cow stomach...and we thought we would be sick. It was not a good night. A few years later, my grandfather died and at age 80, my grandmother returned to Pachino, Sicily and I missed her.

I was married in the late 60's and because my husband and I were stationed with the U. S. Air Force in Germany, I was able to go to visit my grandmother in Sicily. Little did I know how very much things stayed the same in Pachino. It was a bit of a culture shock and as I now revisit my old photos and compare them to photos on the internet...time has stood still. I cannot forget the beautiful blue water and sky, swimming in the ocean and enjoying a picnic with relatives I never knew I had. Though I did not speak Sicilian, I understood enough and found a young person who knew some English...enough to understand a human heart. My family showed me their vineyards, still retained by the family, and the secret of their vinyard success, the volcanic soil. Though there were many wonderful sights to see in Taormina, Siracusa and Catania, I most enjoyed Pachino and gained a better understanding of my father through that visit.

Today, the steamer trunk key sits on my desk and my grandson is completely drawn to it. Somehow, the key reminds me of the courage of all who seek a better life and the connections made by families through simple storytelling. What was just a key is now the key to our family history!

Treat your Mother-in-law to a Beautiful Mother’s Day Bouquet

I know it’s his mother but you get to win two or three times over when you are thoughtful of your mother-in-law. Send your mother-in-law some flowers on Mother’s Day…there is nothing like flowers to brighten a Mothers day!

Your husband and your mother-in-law will both appreciate your Mother’s Day gesture. Not only is it another way to bond with that ‘other woman’ in his life but you will enjoy choosing from many beautiful spring flowers.

Mother’s Day flowers evoke springtime pastels. Colors include the softest shades of pink, plum, pale yellow and spring greens displayed in daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, lilac and lily of the valley.

One idea I like for Mother’s Day is to match flowers to personality. For example, red spiky dahlias to a lively mom, yellow tulips to a sunny disposition, purple lilac to the romantic, while a mix of colors are perfect for the zany, fun loving mom.

So, though we don’t get to choose our mother-in-law, we can appreciate her and possibly grow to be good friends. Strengthen your bond with beautiful flower sentiments given on Mother’s Day.