On Sunday, February 1, my dear Mom passed away after a two year struggle with cancer.

She was 74 years old, a mother of seven children and grandmother to eleven grandkids. I was fortunate to be with her during her last days with us, which is the reason for my absence from blogging these past couple of weeks.

During this time, I have been reflecting a lot on the influence my Mom had on my life in general, and my apprecitation for food and wine, in particular.

As I shared in The Sanctity of the Family Dinner, my Mom had a profound impact on not only "what" I ate, but more importantly, "how" I ate. With seven kids to feed, let alone keep track of, my Mother always managed to get us all around the dinner table at the same time each night to enjoy a meal together.

It was at her table that I learned the merits of celebrating a meal together, a ritual that has continued with my own family. It is the most precious time in my day, an occasion I prioritize over work or anything else going on outside of the home.

Speaking of which, as I grew older, my Mom and I enjoyed many meals dining out while visiting us here in Seattle or elsewhere. Whether at a restaurant or at home, she always enjoyed the communal nature of a meal, treating each like it was a celebration.

Memories of these occasions and other meals shared with her over the years will always remain. I am truly grateful to my Mom for helping me appreciate all that comes with celebrating a meal with those you love.