My abuela Luz Celeste (Lucila) in the middle, with her children. From Left to right: Tia Zoraida, Tio Daniel (may he rest in peace), my father, Rafael,Tio Popi and Tia Charo. Not in the picture, Tia Carmen who had already passed away.
Today's is Good Friday. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover.
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I have very fond memories during Easter time growing up. We would avoid eating any red meat, usually cooked bacalao (the dominican way)which is cod fish,eat “habichuelas con dulce”, spend time with family and watch movies pertaining to the resurrection of Christ and going to mass over the weekend. Habichuelas con dulce is a sweet bean liquid dessert (yes guys I said beans!) from the Dominican Republic that is especially popular around the Easter holiday. My mom always looked forward for this time of the year to make them, so it was a tradition in my house and many other Dominican homes. I may attempt one day to do it. Maybe i can make a not too sugary version.
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We sometimes would spend this week in the country side, staying at my abuela's home (may she rest in peace) where she had a beautiful, small humble home. Those where the best years of my childhood. I remember some of the farm animals, like cows, pigs and chickens and how she would cook at her fogón (firewood) kitchen and prepared a delicious breakfast and fresh coffee.
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She had a coffee bean tree and she would harvest the coffee berries, and do the old drying method where she spread them on a concrete slab, to dry up on the sun. Seemed like a tedious process but she was very dedicated women and loved to spoiled us. Maybe that’s when my love for coffee started but back then, she would give me just a little sip with some milk, fresh from the cow. She also had beautiful, tall pine trees. They made beautiful sounds when the windy hit the branches and you could relax outside. I remember a jasmine tree. Now if i smell that scent or a jasmine flower, reminds me of her. I don’t remember much from back then since she passed away when i was very young, only little bits and pieces, but good old memories still will remain with me forever. She used to read the bible to me quite often. She was a very devoted and religious person.
I’m perhaps not following the same traditions or how we used to celebrate this time of the year, like I did with my family growing up. We are trying to create our own traditions and hoping for our kids to have fond and happier memories like I did, when they grow up and become adults. Trying to make these times better and having a more positive outlook despite of what's currently going on. I know they will look back and remember about this outbreak and how we needed to stay inside the house to avoid the spread and stay healthy. But I am trying to make the best of this situation with what we have and hoping for next year, we can create new and better memories for them.
Wishing everyone a very blessed and peaceful Good Friday to all of those observing. These are times to enjoy with your loved ones, be grateful for what you have and perhaps like me, reflect on the past, going through old family pictures reminiscing my own childhood memories and my dear sweet abuelita💜.