IMMIGRATION: INTEGRATION, CITEZINSHIP

BY JOE GUZZARDI

Every year at Natale, my family gathered at my Sicilian-born grandmother’s home for the annual feast that she spent days preparing. The courses included the traditional Sciabbó, a lasagna made with pork ragú seasoned with dark chocolate, and cannoli alla Siciliana. One year, Nonna told us that although she still wanted everyone to visit her at Christmas, she had grown too old to continue her cooking tradition. After feasting, we gathered around, and I asked Nonna to tell me about the highlights of her Italian and American lives. Without hesitation, Nonna answered that her happiest four moments were the three days that each of her children was born, and the day she became a United States citizen.

BILLY