Yia-Yia's Apron

By Tom Churakos, in honor of Yia-Yia Grandmother

     Memories of not being allowed out of bed until 10 A.M. and going to church to bring the homemade bread to the Father to be blessed and cut up for Communion. All language was Greek at an always full dinner table. The kids sat in the kitchen until you came of age. Men were served first; then the women sat down. Always Greek potatoes, egg-and-lemon soup, lamb, chicken, or goat and Yia-Yia's Greek meatballs. The main courses were pets. On Saturday they met their demise in the cellar for Sunday dinner. I learned that in later years.

     She's still alive at 98, and we just had a five-generation picture with her. She speaks nothing but Greek to her parents and family who have long since passed away. I'm sure she'll die peacefully in her sleep, leaving many memories and traditions to be passed on. If I have half her strength and determination of coming to a new country without even the language and raising a good family through hard times, I will consider myself blessed and proud to be a first generation grandson.