‘You inspired excellence through your meticulous work ethic’
Dear Papa,
It has been three years since you left us. Not long ago, I was always eager and excited to hear you were coming over for dinner. When you’d arrive, we would share one of our minutelong hugs, and I vividly remember always finding comfort in your warm, familiar smell.
For dinner, you would bring a large bag of lobsters for all to share, and we would end our night sharing a cup of ice cream together. Although it feels like a distant memory now, those simple shared moments still glow in my heart when I remember them.
It’s been three years but I still remember everything about you: the lines on your face, your raspy voice, the way your hair curled at the end when you grew it out, and, like I mentioned, that woody and leathery scent that accompanied you in every embrace we shared.
One of my favorite memories with you would be the time we drove down to Monterey from San Francisco for a weekend. During one trip, you had a Latin playlist that you played the entire drive south. You sang and danced to every song as much as you could. And, when we arrived at our place, you opened a bottle of scotch and the dancing only continued. This is one of my favorite ways of remembering you: passionate, spirited and filled with life.
When it came to business, you always upheld the highest standards. Since you were known to possess the most discerning eye and taste buds, nothing below exemplary would pass your difficult tests.
You inspired excellence and finesse through your meticulous work ethic. With a taste only for the sublime, your presence was always imposing yet inspiring. It was through these values that the legacy of your restaurants was born, and from here, the lessons you would pass down to your children.
One of the greatest things you taught me is how to strive for the life you want for yourself. Your own life is a testament to this. You built your business and legacy from the ground up to what it is today. With your determination and dedication, you fought for the best possible outcome for your children and us grandchildren.
Your greatest legacy is your family, and the love and commitment you showered us with endlessly through your words, time and actions. And ever since your passing, you have left us with the precious and honorable task of upholding and continuing this legacy every day in our lives.
Thank you for everything, Papa.
Although no family is perfect, we each find our own way to build harmony and connection with each other. And you continuously strove to teach us that. Your most important legacy is the beautiful family you left behind.
Bella
——
Bella Rivera’s grandfather, whom she calls Papa, is the late Carmelo “Melo” Santiago, who founded Melo’s Steakhouse and chain of restaurants. She works as social media manager of Carmelo’s Steakhouse, the standalone concept created by her mother Cristina Santiago, eldest daughter of the famed restaurateur.
