San Lorenzo and my kitchen - revisited - 2 years later

I have been told that life is easier when we learn to live freely by embracing our unfinished and unresolved issues. I truly believe I had this one in my pocket until I decided to convert my seventies butcher block kitchen into the Food Channel standard.

In February of last year, I entrusted this project to a reliable contractor and “friend”, whom I affectionately call Tony “Carpintero.” As a point of reference, in our house, it is mandatory to add a suffix or identifier to anyone named Tony. In all there are: Tony, the husband; Tony, the son-in-law; Tony, the father-in-law; Tona the aunt; Tony, the colleague; and now my son, Armando (the new Tony) as this is the name he has chosen for confirmation. In any event, my new kitchen became my Valentine’s Day gift and all my Tony’s agreed to celebrate together some haute cuisine once the project was completed.

Well, spring came and went and Tony “Carpintero” disappeared. Summer arrived and I got a promise to return. In the fall, he asked that I not pressure him as he was in the midst of bigger projects. The Floridian winter arrived and the kitchen still lacks all of her promised bells and whistles. My “Capintero” took his masterful mill work out of state and has yet to find his way back to his humble beginnings at 33012. On a positive note, the work that was completed was well done but, I have learned to glance over the unfinished pantry, trims and shelves and still smile. I have learned to embrace the loose ends. No denying I had my intermittent moments of mutinous thoughts and expletives, but that is behind me today.

After really, truly, accepting my station in kitchen life, I decided to employ some divine intervention to my plight and I ordered a small statue of Saint Lorenzo, the Patron Saint of Chefs from Italy.

According to history, Saint Lorenzo, was one of seven deacons under Pope St. Sixtus and was condemned to death by the Prefect of Rome. The story goes that as he was being grilled, he called out to those torturing him and said, ”Turn me over I’m done on this side!”. Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith may spread all over the world. And right before he died, he said, “It’s cooked enough now.” Based on this story, it is said that Saint Lorenzo is the patron Saint of cooks.

Today, my kitchen waits with a spiritual companion in the cupboard named Lorenzo. I have artfully concocted some haute cuisine to our satisfaction and I don't lose sleep over unfinished mill work. In fact, no worries, this Valentine’s Day she may turnover as she will be done on all sides..

Saint Lorenzo, Patron Saint of Chefs - August 10th