Legacy & Apple Cake - Gramma DiLo's Story

Her name was Esther... Esther Alpha Di Lorenzo, formerly Dragone. A strong, yet gentle name for a strong, yet gentle woman who loved her family and her nation. She loved to eat anything delicious and "luscious," as she would say. More than all of that, she loved her Savior so dearly. She left a legacy of children and grandchildren behind who followed in her and Grampa's footsteps and love that same Jesus. She left behind decades of fervent prayers for her family to stand on. Now, she's alive more than she ever was here on earth and is celebrating in glory with the Savior she was faithful to her whole life. Her story is humble, but it is one of faith, strength, love, legacy and, of course... great food. This is the beginning of a Legacy series about my grandmother's life. This series will not just be about her, but it will also be addressing cultural issues and concepts, while bringing you her special recipes. At her funeral service last year, I told her I would write a book about her life to share with the world one day. Might as well start here and now. Her family is here... I am here to share that story with you now.

Maybe today's post will take our minds off of the whirlwind that has been America recently. The world has been watching closely as we witness history unfold right before our eyes. No matter which way you voted, we must remain kind toward one another and we must seek to not be offended or be ruled by fear, anger and pride. Though there has been so much division, my prayer is that we see change, healing, love, justice, righteousness and a return to sanity and truth. However, we must understand that any time there is a difference in ethical worldviews, there will always be something that divides us. That is the nature of the division between right and wrong. Right and wrong cannot be in unity with one another. What is moral will always eventually draw a line between itself and what is immoral. (Because yes, there is a thing as objective morality.) BUT, we should not be divisive ourselves. We must be cordial and loving even when we firmly disagree on what is right and what is wrong. We should not be hating our neighbor because of politics. I pray that the people of America will own up to our pride and wrongdoing (on all sides), turn to the Lord and be saved. I pray that he will have his way and will be glorified in our nation. No matter the outcome, he is still Lord and King over all.

That is what my grandmother would have prayed for if she were still alive today. She lived a long life and it was a life well lived. She could be fiesty at times and was grounded in her values, but she could not stand an unkind word being said about anybody. I think about her a lot and about how she would approach some of the current issues we face. I think about the things I would like to share with her, both mundane and important, just to get her thoughts. She was loving, though stubborn at times. (She was Italian. What can you do?) She was so wise and fervently prayerful. My dad said that in her last few months of living, she began to speak more Italian than English with him and would sing old hymns and crack jokes. He said, though she was on her deathbed, there were many times she still had joy, would pray for others and ask for her favorite treats.

I loved cooking with my Gramma and Grampa Di Lorenzo when I was growing up. Even as an adult, whenever I would fly home to Mass, we would always make something like meatballs or brownies together while I was visiting. In Gramma D's last couple of years, she cooked less and my sister and I began cooking more together whenever I was in town. We loved seeing Gramma's reaction as she enjoyed eating what we had cooked or baked for the family.

Today, I bring you her famous Apple Cake. This is a favorite of my cousin Jackie's, the first Di Lorenzo grandkid! She has many fond memories of grandma and her treats before the rest of us were born, and she absolutely loves this cake. Gramma D didn't write down very many of her recipes with exact measurements, but Jackie found an old paper of Gamma's with this recipe written on it. It's such a sweet thing to have a recipe in her handwriting as a keepsake. It is a piece of her legacy and story. Because of this, I am able to share it with you all today. There is something nostalgic and heartwarming about making one of my grandma's recipes. What I wouldn't give to go back in time for a day and kiss her cheek again. I wish I could rewind time and tell her once more that I love her so much; that I am standing tall and firm on the prayers she prayed for years. I wish I could return to my childhood for a moment, to that little house on East Canton Circle for her pasta and meatballs with the family after church. Esther was her name and she was the kindest soul. She loved everyone but was strong in her values and unwavering in her faith. She wasn't perfect but she and my grandfather were two of the greatest examples of Jesus I have ever known. So through this series, I will share some things about her life and cook her amazing food. But one day, I will tell the whole story of her legacy alongside her "luscious" recipes in a cookbook in honor of her. I hope your heart will be touched by her life and that you will enjoy the food she made with love.

- Gabriella

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