Okay, this made me smile a lot. Mancare de urzici - now that's something I haven't thought about in at least 20 years :):):):) I'll be honest, I do not miss it, though I have to say your photo makes it look a lot more appealing than my recollections :)
Hehe, I wondered what you would say! I had a similar reaction when it came to nettles and the traditional Romanian way of preparing them. My mother—maybe yours too—used to mash them up, and honestly, it wasn’t the most exciting dish. I never heard anyone around me (though my circle was quite small) talk about nettles in an exciting way or share any stories about them. But really, it’s all about how things are presented—one can fall in love with anything if the story is captivating enough.
Now, I actually love nettles, even nettle water, which I used to find unbearable. What changed? Spices! They make all the difference, you know!
As for Jane… yes, she was truly special, incredibly so. I will write about her—with deep longing and gratitude.
*But nothing comes—just stern, neutral, and harsh interactions, a military-like approach. The Russians have a word for it: *strogaia*. How sad that she was never able to connect with her only daughter in that way."
As a parent, this is where I failed, particularly with my daughter. If any parents are reading this, I beg you to step out of the strogaia approach. For everyone's sake.
Dear Mike thank you so much for your heartfelt comment, thank you for reading this piece! It is not easy to look in the mirror and realise you could have done better. However you are making a difference, raising awareness. This is very important!
Please don't be too harsh with yourself - you were doing the best you could at the time, and there are no perfect parents. And repair is always possible <3
Okay, this made me smile a lot. Mancare de urzici - now that's something I haven't thought about in at least 20 years :):):):) I'll be honest, I do not miss it, though I have to say your photo makes it look a lot more appealing than my recollections :)
Also - I'm sorry that Jane isn't around anymore 🤍
Hehe, I wondered what you would say! I had a similar reaction when it came to nettles and the traditional Romanian way of preparing them. My mother—maybe yours too—used to mash them up, and honestly, it wasn’t the most exciting dish. I never heard anyone around me (though my circle was quite small) talk about nettles in an exciting way or share any stories about them. But really, it’s all about how things are presented—one can fall in love with anything if the story is captivating enough.
Now, I actually love nettles, even nettle water, which I used to find unbearable. What changed? Spices! They make all the difference, you know!
As for Jane… yes, she was truly special, incredibly so. I will write about her—with deep longing and gratitude.
*But nothing comes—just stern, neutral, and harsh interactions, a military-like approach. The Russians have a word for it: *strogaia*. How sad that she was never able to connect with her only daughter in that way."
As a parent, this is where I failed, particularly with my daughter. If any parents are reading this, I beg you to step out of the strogaia approach. For everyone's sake.
Dear Mike thank you so much for your heartfelt comment, thank you for reading this piece! It is not easy to look in the mirror and realise you could have done better. However you are making a difference, raising awareness. This is very important!
Please don't be too harsh with yourself - you were doing the best you could at the time, and there are no perfect parents. And repair is always possible <3