Today is St. Joseph’s Day. I ordinarily would not know this, but it was also my Father’s birthday.
His name was Mike, but most of his family called him Joe in honor of the Saint’s name. Some cousins called him Uncle Mike Joe.
My mother would make an Italian feast, sometimes, corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patricks Day (I know not exactly Italian, but pasta was always included) What better than to combine two saints day!
After dinner we celebrated with birthday cake and, of course, St. Giuseppe zeppoles, traditional pastries of the day. These pastries are filled with cannoli filling or creamed filling with a little green or red candied cherry on top. I like both dependent on my tastes that year.
My sister and I would decide who would pick up the zeppoles that year. Some years we would both bring them. It is a tradition that is very close to my heart, especially, since they have both passed
Here’s to the man that set the bar high. To the man I first loved. Who loved me unconditionally and wholeheartedly and who taught me to expect nothing less. Yes, dad I know that now. Maybe not so much in my teenage years.
Happy Birthday! Miss you all.