Unless you are a mother it is very hard to understand the joy, sacrifice and the pain, a mother goes through in her lifetime.  As children we take for granted the responsibility of a mother nurturing, sheltering, protecting, making our life safe and easy and most of all her love for us unconditionally.  Many times I think of when I left Italy at the age of 18, that that early winter morning in December 1949, to embark on a long journey to come to America.  I can still hear the loud screaming and crying of my mother from the balcony or our home, trying to say goodbye.  I couldn’t imagine her pain and broken heart then. As time passed I was blessed to share many beautiful years with my mother here in the United States until she passed on at the age of 99. I remember the joy I felt when I was expecting my first child. Then the second came along and then we knew that the third was a baby boy.  Seeing them growing up, taking pictures, share their dreams, I wouldn’t change those precious moments for anything in this world.  Today I am a very proud mother and grandmother and great grandmother for their love and respect and for what they have accomplished in their lifetime.  I sincerely feel that my sacrifice was well worth it. 
But not all is joy and happiness in this life. There are pains suffering, and sorrow too.  When one of my children is sick or going through bad times, I feel their pain. And when you loose one of them your life goes with them. Part of you has been taken away and you will never recover. I’ve been there, I lost my son, not yet a year ago, you still live, life goes on, but you will never, never stop grieving.  My wish for you on this Mother’s day is to love honor and respect your mother. We only have one, and it is God’s greatest gift.

Mother’s Day Rescued Recipe
Italian Almond Torte

When it comes to traditions in the D’Atri family it is easy to figure out.  I have two children, four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren and every time my family makes plans for a special occasion, Birthday or Holiday it is always in Nonna’s home.  Nonna’s home is a place where we all can be together, have fun and laughter. It’s a place where memories start and a time when we eat our traditional food.  I come from a large family in Italy and I remember always celebrating Holidays and special occasions in our grandparents home all together.  Today I like to keep traditions alive with my family and hoping that someday they too will continue the same traditions with their own family. (I feel that my age is creeping up on me and I think the younger generation should take over, but that doesn’t seem to be.)  ha ha   If you have any wonderful family traditions you would like to share, please e-mail me, I would love to hear from you!  Love, Momma