What an amazing weekend, full of family and traditions. We began our weekend on Friday night with a surprise visit with Donnie's sister Elaine who came in to celebrate Carnivale on Saturday with the Vaudo side of Donnie's family.
Carnivale...a tradition that is over 80years old. It all began with Donnie's grandfather and grandmother, celebrating the onset of the Lenten season with a feast of homemade raviolis. They began this tradition with their oldest daughter Josephine, and then with their daughter Regina, who was born 9 years later. The tradition continued and now more than 80 years later, Donnie's 101year old grandmother, still resides at the head of the table as her family of 2 daughters, multiplied into: 9 grandchildren, (and their spouses) 20 great grandchildren,(and their spouses) and 8 great great grandchildren . Some years there can be as many as 65 people surrounding the table, eating homemade raviolis, meatballs, sausage, and so much more. (This year there was 523 raviolis made, 160 meatballs and 100 homemade sausages!) We gather together eating, socializing and singing. Donnie's Auntie Jo, many years ago, wrote a song to the tune of "MacNamaras" band, and each year in the song she recaps the years events. We all get kazoos, and the chorus of the song is: "Ohhh Raviolis, Meatballs and Sausage Holy Smokes, Carnivale a'skunzalata (spelling is probably way off, but thats how it is pronounced", and Grampa's donkey joke, Ohhh we eat a lot and we laugh a lot, and do everything that we can....a credit to Old Carnivale is Gradnpa Vaudo's Clan"
What an amazing tradition, that all began with two people, their two daughters, and a family that is still growing today, more than 80 years later. May the tradition continue on through the generations.
On Sunday, we celebrated a not as old as 80 year old tradition, but a tradition none the less. St. Patricks Day, Dougherty style! My parents make many pots of Corned Beef and Cabbage, and my siblings who live in Massachusetts, their children, and other friends who are considered family, all gather to feast on this amazing boiled dinner, wear our Green proudly, and in true Irish fashion, we are loud and boisterous.But the louder we are, the richer we are in health and love. It's a younger tradition than Carnivale, but both traditions bring to my children a Heritage, that is strong and proud.
I feel so blessed to be able to share these traditions with my husband, our five children, our daughter-in-law, and most importantly, my parents, Donnie's parents and Great Grandma. How truly fortunate we are to have our elders, still with us and so fully present in our lives. As I turn 50 years old this coming Wednesday, I realize, that I too, am now an "Elder" (not that I feel like an elder!!) but I feel the responsibility to carry on these family traditions and to continue to keep our children's Heritages alive and strong!
No Matter what your heritage is, don't ever take it for granted. Embrace it, cherish it, pass on the history of your families, and continue to create new and celebrate old Traditions....It is the foundation of who we are.
No comments:
Post a Comment