Kathy Mitrano - The Gathering Table

W hen I decided to compile a book of my favorite recipes, not only mine but favorite recipes from family and friends. I dug deep down into my heart and questioned even my intentions as to WHY was this important to me. The first person that came to my mind was my Mother. She rarely ever bought precooked meals, frozen dinners or fast food burgers!

My mom was graced with nine beautiful children ranging in ages from birth years from 1947 all the way to 1967! She always made sure there was a meal on the table a minimum of 3 times a day. She worked hard at home as well as outside the home. My father was a lifer in the United States Navy and how they managed to feed and clothe us for all these years still baffle me.

My dad passed from this earth in 1969 at the early age of 42 yrs. young. I was the second youngest of 9 siblings, and to this day, I still do not understand how we survived all that was handed to us on that platter. I do know, we rarely ever turned our nose up to whatever dinner was on the table. If we did, we would not eat (eventually, though, we came down off that high horse to fill our bellys!)

Our siblings all grew up and developed into young boys and girls, but not without those problems that any family with a 2-parent family. I guess our only difference was we didnt have that two-parent discipline from both parents.

I will admit, for the most part, sadly enough, there were times we took advantage of our disciplines!

And again, sadly, we saw how she struggled and at times seemed to lose parenting skills by us not obeying her. Many times, I wish I could turn that clock back and be the child that listened, and obeyed and helped much more than I did.

Mom was a great cook and always encouraged us not by doing for us, but by her guiding hand and her step by step lessons. She never criticized us for our mistakes, but made sure we learned from them! The days in the summer months, I cherish the times we went into farmer fields that you picked your own, and we would pick, the green beans, strawberries, rhubarb, corn, etc. I think all my five sisters can remember apple picking in the fall months and at least one occasion, we (her, myself and my young brother) missed the bus to take us back to the barn to weigh and pay. Now, now, my moms sense of humor came out, and it was well worth being lost in the orchard! I will never forget, we were walking and she started singing The Old Rugged Cross. That hymn and lyrics did get us to the next horse buggy, and we made it home safely.

So many other memories I could go on, but, this is a dedication to her and her efforts to make sure we had our food groups and healthy meals.

So, with just a few memories of the fall months and picking pumpkins and gourds, I feel honored to be able to pass these on not only to my grandkids, my son and his wife. I think we, speaking for all my siblings, have been truly blessed by my mother! I will by no means stop at just her for this dedication as I much include my father for sadly passing at age 42 and left my mom with a shoulder of responsibility when it came to raising, then seven children still at home ranging in ages from 17 to age 2.

Mom passed over to be with my dad when she was 84 yrs. old. There is not a day that goes by that I find something in my daily living that carries me throughout my day.

In closing, I just want to say a HUGE Thank You to my Mom for allowing me to fail and through failure, I learned without becoming frustrated or stressed out to the point of giving up and calling it quits.

If there is one bit of advice I could give to each and everyone else out there, find those memories from those loved ones that have left this earth before you. If for nothing else, know they are guiding you and helping you through those small errors, whether it be cooking, sewing, raising children, etc. Follow their guidance. THANK YOU, MOM, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND FOR BELIEVING IN ME.

Sincerely,

Kathy Mitrano

Mom on her 84th birthday!