Noche Buena.
There were 32 adults and 6 kids under the age of six at the party.
It was LOUD. As only a house full of Cubans can get. We all talk at the same time and try to make ourselves heard. Somehow we manage to keep track of all the conversations, even with all the multiple levels of voices.
There was much laughter and chaos. The lovely kind of chaos that is the basis of all my family memories. Trying to get food on the table and gifts under the tree. Taking pictures and herding small children. The smell of the garlic and onion drenched lechon (roast pork) making our mouths water in anticipation of the amazing meal to come. My mom sitting in the center of all of this giving orders and basking in that warmth that only this familiar picture can create.
Everything stops when it is time for one of my favorite traditions: "The Sister Picture."
Helen and Alina in front. That’s me, Miriam and Ofelia in the rear. They still refer to me as The Baby.
For just a moment, it is just us. We are the nuclear family again. We remember that there are things that we share that do not really include all the others, as much as we dearly love them. For just a moment, we remember shared bedrooms and clothes and shopping trips and vacations. We remember what it was like to grow up in a Cuban exile household and figure life out and cling to each other. We miss our brother who lives with his beautiful family in Texas. We wish he was here. We miss Papi, who passed away 7 years ago. We remember what we’ve lost and celebrate what we have gained.
The picture is snapped and we go back to the craziness of the evening and the meal and the gifts and on with our lives.
But at least once a year for that moment, as the song says:
"We are fa-mi-ly. I’ve got all my sisters with me."
I hope your Christmas memories are as lovely as mine.
Such a lovely photo of 5 beautiful women. Your traditions clearly reflect the love and respect you have for each other. You are all blessed to have these wonderful moments together. I can just see the smile on your mother’s face.
Marti,Yes, I AM THE GOLDEN GODDESS!!! Orders are coming in from all my neighbors for your (now dare I say my?) egg nog. It was a HUGE hit and I give you all the credit. It took me 40 years to realize I do like egg nog…I had simply tried the wrong egg nog…glad I have friends like you to get me on the right path…
Aren’t sisters wonderful. I loved the picture. we try to take them often but probably not as religiosly as you do.There was no place to comment on your christmas pictures. Would you decorate for me, please? love yu,
lys
I love your blog! And I love the bottle of egg nog Kristen gave me, made from your recipe. It tastes like a melted vanilla ice cream cone — with a kick! Hope to see you soon!Bill
I just found you- AND- it made my day! So far I have read My Cuban extended family, Cuban Heritage Day, the post about Cuban women and jewelry, You’ll know if you’re Cuban if…, and the post about the Latina Wonder drug-Vicks!
My late husband had a mother from Havana, and he so believed that Vicks cured everything from ingrown toenails to emotional problems that I put a jar of Vicks in his coffin( I knew he would need it and his Swiss army knife )
Even if I am only a Cubana by osmosis, it’s better than not at all. My husband was very proud of his heritage and raised our daughters to be committed to passing on the pride to their children.
I often make flan, brazo de Gitano, and ropa vieja. Roast pork marinated in rum and lime juice is a family favorite, served , of course, with Moros Y Cristianos.
Thank you so much.
Penelope in Portland
PS My mother-in-law made her Elena Ruiz tea sandwiches with strawberry jam, probably because guava was so difficult to find here until recently. My husband grew up thinking of Cuban and Spanish food as a huge treat for holidays,because the ingredients were so difficult to find.