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Honoring our Fathers on Their Special Day

Nov 29, 2024

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BY GLOBAL/MASTER STYLIST, ROSE MARIE DICRISCIO







Growing up in a strict Catholic Italian family weaves a rich tapestry of traditions, culinary delights, and deep-rooted values, a tapestry that is both vibrant and intricate, reflecting the profound ties that bind generations. As Father’s Day approaches, the spotlight turns towards a figure who embodies these traditions: my 94-year-old father, Louis F. DiCriscio, whose life lessons, culinary mastery, and unwavering faith have been a guiding light for me and my family.


In the heart of every Italian family lies the kitchen, a sanctuary where recipes are not just instructions but are also cherished narratives passed down through generations. My father, a maestro in the culinary arts, taught me that cooking is not merely about feeding the body but further for nurturing the soul. From mastering the art of rolling the perfect pasta dough to understanding the delicate balance of herbs in a sauce, he gave us a lesson in patience, precision, and love. While my mother, a registered nurse was at work, my father would always have us children watching Walt Disney and surprising us with an ice cream cone, homemade cookies, or the old-fashioned popcorn that you had to do on the stove in a pot back in those days. Family vacations were the early Griswald's: two adults and eight little kids packed in a Country Squire station wagon with luggage packed so high on the roof that we were crossing our fingers every time we came to a tunnel hoping we would make the clearance. Those are some of our most cherished memories growing up.


Our Catholic faith intertwined with these culinary traditions, infusing them with a deeper meaning. Preparing fish on Fridays, baking bread for Sunday supper, and assembling lavish feasts for religious holidays were acts of devotion, ways to honor our faith through the work of our hands and the warmth of our kitchen.


GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND: FATHERS THAT DO IT ALL.

I often wonder if the reason I became a hairdresser began when my father would put our hair in braids or ponytails for my sisters and me and then cut my brothers’ crew cuts with the good old Clipper. Mom would give us the Toni perms popular back in those days. My dad did a lot while my mother was at work. They always worked opposite shifts to make sure there was a parent home at all times.


TRADITIONS: THE FABRIC OF OUR FAMILY

Beyond the kitchen, our strict Catholic Italian upbringing was a tapestry of traditions that colored every aspect of life. Sundays were sacrosanct, dedicated to attending Mass, followed by a family gathering where stories were shared, advice was given, and laughter filled the air. These moments were not just routine; they were the rituals that kept our family’s roots deep and strong. After dinner and clean up, there was always a Sunday drive to Mount Pleasant to visit my Nana’s on my mother’s side. It’s amazing how certain scents can remind you of childhood memories. My Nana’s house always smelled like Lysol. Back in those days that was considered the closest thing to God: Cleanliness. Respect for elders, the importance of family, and the value of hard work were principles instilled in us from a young age. My father, with his rich tapestry of experiences, was a living testament to these values. His stories of his parents immigrating to a new country, building a life from scratch, and maintaining his faith through trials were not just tales from the past but lessons for the future. My father also was one of eight siblings, and he lost his father at the age of eight. My grandfather was a railroader who was killed in the late 1930’s by a drunk driver in Pittsburgh where he worked, leaving my grandmother, who knew only Italian to raise eight children on her own.


Growing up in a strict Catholic Italian family, under the watchful guidance of a 94-year-old father, has been a journey of learning, faith, and familial bonds. As we celebrate Father’s Day, it’s a moment to honor not just a man but also the rich heritage and unwavering values he represents. It’s a day of gratitude, reflection, and reaffirmation of the traditions that define us, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come.


Today I cherish the time I have with my father as we are still cooking, baking up in the kitchen to making homemade Limoncello. We always find time to take the dogs for a walk and reminisce on how my mother would walk my siblings and me around the block. Funny how life reverts and you take care of your parents when they get older. As I age, I realize life is so short. One day a lightbulb went off in my head that made me cherish the days we have left. I only wish that before my mother passed away there had been cell phones to take instant pictures. But my mother died in 2001, we did not have the technology back then that we have today. I always tell my friends to definitely take both video and audio, because those are the voices you are going to want to hear when they are gone.


So this Father’s Day, why not give your father the gift of grooming and relaxation. Visit our website at Allantehair.com to print out your instant gift certificates. We are a full

service salon.


*Article Published in Stroll Magazine


Nov 29, 2024

4 min read

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