Aunt Gracie is the matriarch of the DiMaggio family. At 85, she's still kicking like any regular 25-year-old kid would. I am convinced she is the best cook of the family (sorry, Dad). Though she is actually my great-aunt, everyone in the family calls her Aunt Gracie. She's the dearest staple of our large Italian family.

Ever since I can remember, she's lived in the same small one-bedroom apartment, and I've grown to love her little, warm abode. Whenever my dad and I take a trip down to New York City, we almost always spend the night with Aunt Gracie. And she spoils us. Boy, does she spoil us.

Though she doesn't have a lot of money or many earthly possessions, she still will always cook us the most amazing breakfasts. Strong, freshly brewed coffee from a percolator straight out of the past, delicious eggs which are almost always mixed with peppers (but sometimes intertwined with broccoli rabe - which is a largely important food in Italian families), and orange juice are what cover the kitchen table in the mornings.

I thoroughly enjoy mornings at Aunt Gracie's. Usually her daughter, my cousin Linda, is there as well. My dad, Linda, Aunt Gracie, and I will all sit around the table enjoying our coffee, discussing plans for the day, and laughing. One thing Aunt Gracie is good at is making people laugh. She can make anyone feel at home instantly, with her motherly instincts and warm Italian hospitality. It really is hard to have even a few minutes of conversation with her before either she or you cracks a smile or bursts into laughter.

I don't know why Aunt Gracie's little apartment means so much to me, but I've come to see it as a home away from home. I always know I have somewhere to go if ever need be. Aunt Gracie, though her space is small, will allow anyone into her home with open arms. She cultivates feelings of comfort and family.

I think that's why I love spending mornings with her at her apartment so much. It reminds me that I don't need to have a big house, a nice car, a dream job, or thousands of dollars to be happy. In the long run, material things don't cause lasting peace and happiness. Sipping coffee around the small, round table with Aunt Gracie and my family puts a bright start to my morning and reminds me that at the end of the day, family is what makes a house a home.