Lest you forget
How a German recipe goes wrong to go right...
I need to apologize to my mom.
She reads all my emails…
She’s not going to be pleased, but I’m highlighting her in this one. She’s an introvert after all - can you imagine me as your daughter and you’re an introvert … God’s a straight comedian.
The day my son and I flew in for Thanksgiving break, I found out my mom had taken a fall down the stairs, holding a casserole dish - let me clarify - a steaming, hot casserole dish, packed with sauerkraut and pork; a special German meal that my grandmother used to make.
I requested it.
Nobody cooks like your mom. If your mom is still alive and you have a favorite meal, you should ask her to make it.
You should also be prepared to don your deep seated guilt should your mother prepare the meal, then fall down the stairs holding it. Shattering the casserole dish, slicing her forearms, thumb and index finger wide open and bruising a few bones too.
I’m so grateful it wasn’t worse.
It was still pretty bad though.
She will downplay it and reply to this email with fury that I’m still feeling a little guilty but what occurred to me yet again, is that nothing is promised. I don’t know how I went so long, ignoring this simple and poignant fact. You don’t know what you don’t know, I suppose.
May you never experience sudden tragedy, but it goes without saying throughout life, tragedy befalls us all.
Yesterday I recorded a podcast episode with Karine Nissim Hirschorn.
She has a tragic story of sudden loss and this particular episode is chock full of wisdom, pain, and light shed on her mission of healing while helping others heal. She brought up a point mid interview about the feminine manifesto in the second chapter of life. Basically recognizing that, although it’s a privilege to be a mother, (or to be in service of your children and partner) that it’s absolutely necessary you do not lose your identity entirely. God forbid a tragedy occurs like the one that we have both survived where you are faced with the parts of yourself that have been swept under the rug.
I smiled with pride as she elaborated on this because although Matt and I were not married, we were a true partnership. Through his chosen way of loving me, I could access my entrepreneurial spirit, my mothering nature, my weirdo sense of humor, and the many other things that create the kaleidoscope of Nicole Sciacca.
I was never lost in our relationship. It was truly 50-50. There was no ball in chain, no Commander-in-Chief, no walking on eggshells - it was proof that I could be all things at once.
Perhaps as we are all meant to be.
All things.
At once.
The second chapter of a woman’s life is often correlated to when she becomes an empty nester or a caretaker of her parents, perhaps. I cannot speak to that yet. I can speak to this second chapter of my life, which has required me to begin again at 45. Because I was loved with great respect, I have been able to cultivate my identity all along… I’m a mother and, a business owner and, a podcast host and, a children’s book author and…and…and.
Lest you forget that you are the universe incarnate.
The divine you buried behind your Old Navy sweats, the invisible mental load of being different things to different people, and the sheer fact that you are breathing involuntarily in your human suit on this planet in the year of our Lord 2024.
Lest you forget that your time is fleeting.
Lest you forget that authenticity is your most valuable currency for fulfilling your purpose.
My mother and I have talked about the sauerkraut incident numerous times now. She has absolved me of my guilt, but as I mentioned above, if you’ve been the recipient of sudden tragedy, it’s likely you can still taste it. You can taste the fragility and preciousness of this life.
I’m so thankful my mother is OK.
I’m so thankful she was willing to make sauerkraut and pork and stareits.
I’m so thankful that I was loved really well.
I’m so thankful that I was able to realize that my mission and my purpose are only fulfilled when I am genuinely and completely present.
Lest you forget … it’s now or never.
OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,
xx
Nic.
ps. You may have seen that my precious little (big) boy won the West Coast Conference for 11 yr old Pop Warner Football and we are off to Orlando in 2 weeks for the National Championship. There may or may not be a Tuesday email on Dec. 9th. I appreciate you always and I hope this email today offers you value.
pps. * Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA 12-12:30pm pst. $10. A well rounded music based mobility focused yoga flow. This was created as a community class and if you ever need financial assistance to attend - please just reach out or use code NEWFRIEND to try a class for free. Sign up here.
ppps. Episode 50 of SHOCK AND Y’ALL is out now with DR. JEN PEREZ of GAIT HAPPENS. She is co-owner and vice president of Gait Happens, an online resource center that hosts courses, programs, memberships and virtual consultations to improve foot and gait biomechanics as well as educate the world on the importance of a ground up health perspective. YOU KNOW I LOVE FEET. This is a profoundly educational episode on the value of foot health and don’t worry, I ask her hefty questions about bunions, plantar fasciitis, footwear and so much more. Here are a few clips…
OH WAIT. You’re still here … could you, would you, pretty please leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Just click this link, scroll to the bottom to leave your thoughts and “stars” and I’ll send you an energetic HIGH FIVE along with my sincere appreciation.