Who is going to make the pasteles?

Let's begin from the beginning... we in our community, in our families are definitely facing an endangered species ... our homecooking abuelitas. My mom the other day travels up to the Bronx to connect with a woman who she has placed an order of pasteles with. The woman is just getting back from Puerto Rico; went to pick up "un Santa Claus" orders of pasteles... for latina women across the new york, new jersey and connecticut. Now what is that all about? Are they a dying breed? Those sweet abuelitas who make the best pasteles in the whole world? And I say they.. because as a second generation neuyorican with no close relatives to speak of in Puerto Rico... I say "they" are a dying breed. Perhaps the sadder thing is that as a second generation (horrible spanish speaking) neuyorican (who could benefit from taking a spanish speaking course) ain't got nothing to replace pasteles for my generation or my children other than mac & cheese and spaghettios. I don't know about you, but my mouth waters for pasteles and I am not sure what I am going to do when the time comes that that nice woman isn't taking orders anymore. Sign up as a follower...more on variety of topics to come.