Keep it Real Wednesday
Cinco De Mayo
May 5, 2021
In honor of Cinco De Mayo, I asked Rosemary to share her favorite story related to Cinco de Mayo.
I could see her wheels turning and could tell from her soft expression that a story was brewing.
She said, “Do you remember when your Dad died, and we spent hours at the funeral home finalizing his services?”
Of course, I did. I remember that day like it was yesterday.
My Dad, Raymond Anthony Sorce, died in 1995 at the young age of 67 after a very rapid battle with cancer. Our family all took turns caring for him in Mom and Dad’s home in a hospice environment. Although we had time to prepare for the inevitable, we were really not prepared emotionally for the goodbye.
The day after Dad died, we spent a few hours at the mortuary making final arrangements. There were many heavy conversations with very serious mortuary staff and the air was thick with emotion and grief. When we finally walked outside, we all took a deep breath and looked at each other as if “what’s next?”
I am not sure which family culprit deserves the credit but whoever suggested it was a genius. One of us glanced across the street at Café San Martin and said, “Let’s go get some food and margaritas.”
I don’t think there was a single dissenting vote. We all walked across the street, found the biggest booth we could find and got settled in for the afternoon. Literally the ENTIRE afternoon.
After a few pitchers of margaritas, and countless family style food orders, we found ourselves laughing, telling stories about my Dad, and just holding precious space with each other. We laughed, we cried, and we processed the painful experience we all just went through together.
At the end of the afternoon, we scooped up Rosemary and drove her home where she had her first truly restful night sleep in a very long time, after saying goodbye to the love of her life who was no longer in pain.
Café San Martin, thank you for allowing us to spend the entire afternoon in your restaurant in June 1995. You were kind, gracious and loving to all of us during our makeshift wake at your restaurant. It was just what we all needed, and I don’t think we ever said THANK YOU.
On this Cinco De Mayo celebration, we wish you a restaurant FULL of celebration today.
We will never forget your kindness.
