I am fascinated by how much food unites families and friends. I had previously written about my grandma's cooking which to me represents family, closeness, and long talks sitting on the table. Many families use breakfast, lunch or dinner as the time to reunite and spend some time together. The time I cherished the most before working was breakfast with my mom or grandma (or sometimes both). My mom would prepare breakfast (a treat on its own given she is a working mom), I would prepare the coffee and we would sit and talk about classes, work, the news or anything else that came to mind. When my grandma prepares pozole, enchiladas or even some basic chicken tacos, we not only enjoy our food. My uncles, aunts and cousin come over and we talk about our lives, books we've read and movies we've seen.
I was just at a neighbor's house eating some delicious tamales and celebrating a family friend's birthday. This family celebrates every birthday. In a small apartment they are able to seat their family and everyone has a great time. I am used to hearing laughter from my apartment late at night when they are celebrating. Everyone was complementing the hostess because she had mastered the grandma's recipe. Shortly after the compliment, discussion began on how the granddaughters had to learn this recipe in order to continue the family tradition. This family treasures its traditions and celebrates birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and any other important days with the whole family. The apartment is always filled and the parties last hours. The food is always delicious because the grandmas have made sure to set high standard. These aren't the "lets buy a tray of ______________" for the party tonight. Everyone helps to prepare the dishes and the drinks.
I hope my grandma is able to pass on her delicious dishes and cooking secrets so that we continue to get together and celebrate with the excuse of making special dishes. Perhaps my children or grandchildren will know a whole lot more about their great grandma when I make them certain food than they would otherwise do.
