Reflections of... Honor!

"My Giggles--she makes me laugh 40 years later!"

Reflections Of…Honor!

                                    by Alan P. Scaglione

Ever just feel like reconnecting with your past—where you grew up?

Just go back to the places that meant the most to you—your “favorites!”
For me… it’s a little town called Ybor City, next door to Tampa, Florida.
It’s a latin community—with a lot of heritage and history!
The Italian Club and Italian Museum are both there!
And there’s Tropicana—where they make the BEST Cuban sandwiches in the world!
Okay—in my view—they are the best!
They have a farmer’s market on Saturdays—we like to check out what we just “can’t live without!”?
But we usually can!
And then there’s the place that I have gone to for most holidays—to pick up our bakery items!
La Segunda Central Bakery! The Second Central Bakery—I have no idea where the FIRST Central Bakery is!
When we stepped into the bakery, I was whisked back into time…
Coming into the bakery with my father, being allowed to buy one thing—always buying the Chocolate BonBon Cake!
This time—I remembered all of the baked items that my Aunt Evelyn, whom I have called “Giggles” for 40 years, cooked for us!
I was like a kid in a candy (or Bakery) store!
I bought one of each of the items—from pineapple upside down cake, to cannoles, sesame seed cookies, to coconut cake.
I just felt like I was this little kid—on my way to my Uncle Pete’s house for a visit.
But my Uncle Pete wouldn’t be there—he’s been in Heaven for a few years now.
 That “P” in Alan P. Scaglione?
I’m named after him—and so proud to be his namesake!
But no—he won’t be there—but his bride of 50 years will be!
Giggles is 84 years old and still lives in the home they raised their sons in!
She is a spitfire!
When we walked in—she was removing her curtains off the wall—by herself!
I stepped in and took the remainder down! She wanted to wash them before her house is fumigated for termites!
She had just had the house—which is over 100 years old—freshly painted outside—she said it needed a fresh coat!
Did I mention that she is 84 and still lives on her own?
She refuses to move.
I asked her why, and she said “They will find me in that bed over there when I breathe my last breath—I’m not going anywhere!”
When we sat down at the same dinette set where I used to eat my late night dinners when I would stop after night classes in college,
She was like a little kid, opening up all of the baked items.
She would say “I used to make that, and I made the best pineapple upside down cake, you remember?”
My wife assured her that I had picked everything in the bakery that I remembered that she made.
She smiled and said “Alan—you remembered! I was a good cook back then!”
We reminisced about her Christmas Rum Balls—that she made in September!! By Christmas? WOW!!! And POW!!
I got to ask her about her life… just looking back.
She said “I have no regrets. I had a wonderful life with the love of my life—I miss Pete so much!”
She also lamented losing her sister Adella, who was even funnier and vibrant than Giggles—“I miss Adella!”
I asked her about her life today—she said “well, so many don’t think to call or stop by. I am alone a lot—but I have my memories!”
She said her sons visit and call but they have their lives to live.
She reminded me that “soon your kids won’t need you also—it’s a strange feeling—not being needed—but at least you had the time when they did!”
I knew the feeling—It’s what I’m going through right now!
As we got up to leave—she wanted to feed us something—
I told her to give the boys some of the baked goods.
She said “Forget them—this is breakfast for a week!”
At the door, she hugged me said “Thanks for remembering me!”
I smiled and said “You? Who could ever forget Giggles!”
As we drove off, I had to wonder—will I see her again? At 84, you just never know.
Glad I spent a day honoring my past!
Remember... the Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due!
And they have earned it... why not honor them with a visit or a call?

Brother “A”

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WHO COULD YOU HONOR WITH A VISIT?