Home Cooked Love

Our Christmas get-together with family was especially meaningful this year.  I grew up living far from most of our extended family.  I was born in Mexico and our family moved to South Texas when I was in First Grade.  So when I grew up and moved away it seemed very natural.

Being separated from family over the holidays can be so hard!  I love this Western Union video where they surprised and delighted customers with their favorite meal from home from their families.  Food is such a huge part of someone’s cultural identity and a link to family and good memories.

This year I am so thankful that we were able to get together with my family to enjoy our meal together.  This year was different.  My sister has cancer.  It’s still so hard to believe.  She went in for what was to be a routine surgery, but what the doctors found was anything but routine.  She has appendix cancer, which is very rare.  My sister.  Cancer has been a lingering menace in the backs of all of our minds as it’s dirty claws have reached friends and extended family members.  I suppose we are never ready for it to reach the ones we love, but it’s here nevertheless.  While we have always known that life is short.  We have been slammed with the reality. 

My parents, all my siblings, and all of our children except one niece got together to celebrate Christmas this year!  It was a great time of storytelling and of course FOOD!  Apart from visiting with family, it’s the delicious Mexican food that I grew up with that I miss the most when I am not at “home”, but it was all there! 

Christmas Eve we had our traditional tamale supper.  How I look forward to these tamales.  Other tamales are just not the same.  These are the best! 

Somewhere along the way we began adding homemade Texas chili to the menu.  I think this may have been added for all the in-laws who were not used to all the Mexican food.  But my brother is famous for his chili and we all look forward to it as well. 

Traditionally we have had Atole, a favorite Mexican drink, and sweet tamales for dessert.  This year my sister Sara and her family made homemade Polvorones–Yum!  What a blessing it was to be able to get together with my family.  So many were not able to be with their families for the holidays. 

Many Western Union customers are currently living in one place and from another. Some are pursuing education, career or simply a style of life for them and their family; but with family members and strong ties to their birth country.  A lot of customers who send money home don’t boast about it. Nor do they consider making money to support their family out of the ordinary. Albeit selfless and challenging, it is standard within their cultures.  Western Union is a lifeline for its customers, connecting them to their families and friends around the world.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.