Families often serve as the foundational rock for many people throughout life, and that certainly is the case for me. My family is what is most important in life – what I work for, how I wish to spend my time, and that which is most meaningful. Growing up in an Italian family encouraged me to recognize the importance of spending quality time with the people around me and appreciating the traditions that every family uniquely has as part of its history. My family nurtured my personal identity by immersing me in the Italian culture, and thus my desire to share those experiences and traditions with my wife and kids is vitally important. Some of the best family experiences and memories stem from sharing family memories with one another that transcend time and remain indelibly etched in one’s mind. My wife’s family is from Cuba, and we enjoy honoring the traditions of food and family from Cuba as well.
My family is what is most important in life – what I work for, how I wish to spend my time, and that which is most meaningful.
Michael Canzian
Passing culture and traditions
Passing on traditions can come from something as simple as cooking. I have mentioned before that my grandmother taught me how to cook the Italian food I enjoyed growing up, which I have since passed on to my family and friends whenever I get an opportunity. My love for cooking grew from first enjoying the food I ate. Now, I cook Italian food at home for my family as often as possible to continue the family traditions that come from what I consider to be the most delicious food in the world. As an Italian-American, I recognize the significance of sustaining my Italian roots and imparting a cultural identity to my children so they know who they are and where they come from. Moreover, being away from the place I spent most of my childhood only heightens my love and attachment for it even more. I visit Italy and our little corner of the world in Friuli as much as possible to stay connected with relatives and family. Friuli is the one place in the world where I can detach from the stress and pace of life’s responsibilities and enjoy la dolce vita. Speaking of other important family traditions, my mother passed on to me her love for Christmas and Disney, which I in turn have passed down to my own family. These two passions are also big part of my family’s identity and calendar year of planning.
Spending quality time
I am also fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world for business and pleasure, which exposed me to diverse cultures, food and traditions. I have regarded traveling as another way for me and my family to bond. I can vividly recall the times we have had together in the various destination to which we have travelled. Being together during rest and relaxation is so important and provides for a strengthening family bond. I can recall our many evenings and celebrations in Barcelona, and the feeling of immense satisfaction every time we walked away from Barcelo Wine Bar eager to return again and again. I can also attest to how much my wife loves Spain and feels very connected to her roots as both her parents’ family’s lineage originates in Spain prior to Cuba. Another way our family spends time together is during our many visits to Pawley’s Island in South Carolina. We consider Pawley’s our home away from home in many respects wherein we can just relax and have fun together through different activities such as surfing, swimming, dining , and engaging with our friends.
Family means the world, and is my world without which life would lack true meaning. Passing along culture and traditions and spending quality time together is what makes me most happy I can look forward to my children passing on the same family traditions on to their kids one day, and nothing would make me happier. I am who I am, and do what I do, to make a good life for my family and I. My family is my pride and joy, and they are the foundation of my life and root me to things that make life worth living. –Michael Canzian