Nan, I love this wonderful narrative. Reading this brought back memories of my own Passover experiences. We would eat the marshmallow twists and sugar coated fruit slices. I wasn't a macaroon fan, but I did love the matzo brie. My family would all get together in the Bronx or Manhattan, depending on which part of the family was hosting.
Your dad is so cool. My dad ruled Passover with an iron fist, so much so that we all felt enslaved as the ancient Hebrews were. It felt very real to us. Having the sweet, delicious Cadbury eggs would've softened the blow of the continuous Passover diet, although we did indulge in chocolate-covered Matzos.
I loved Passover when I was a young kid because my Aunt Helene would say, "Look! Elijah is drinking the wine from the cup!" and then she would slightly knock on the fold-up table and make the glass of wine jiggle, as I stared in amazement. My aunt was like a mom to me, but like your dad, she didn't always play by the rules. I loved that part of her. I also remember having real wine instead of grape juice. Four cups! And there I was when I was a kid, drunk, banging into walls and giggling.
Your memories are delightful! I love Aunt Helene. Good on her. My father was my grandmother's shayna yingele...they were all pretty nuts, and I loved them. My father and I had a lot of fun together over the years. He loved to celebrate. Family dynamics shape who we become in so many ways. My dad thought he was rebelling....but he really learned this stuff from his very righteous kosher mother...well, except when she was hovering over the shrimp platters at other people's traif homes. You couldn't tear her away. And oh, Chinese food, for her, too. As long as it wasn't in her house, it didn't count. She was hilarious. Apples and trees. We learn what we live. xo
Nan, I love this wonderful narrative. Reading this brought back memories of my own Passover experiences. We would eat the marshmallow twists and sugar coated fruit slices. I wasn't a macaroon fan, but I did love the matzo brie. My family would all get together in the Bronx or Manhattan, depending on which part of the family was hosting.
Your dad is so cool. My dad ruled Passover with an iron fist, so much so that we all felt enslaved as the ancient Hebrews were. It felt very real to us. Having the sweet, delicious Cadbury eggs would've softened the blow of the continuous Passover diet, although we did indulge in chocolate-covered Matzos.
I loved Passover when I was a young kid because my Aunt Helene would say, "Look! Elijah is drinking the wine from the cup!" and then she would slightly knock on the fold-up table and make the glass of wine jiggle, as I stared in amazement. My aunt was like a mom to me, but like your dad, she didn't always play by the rules. I loved that part of her. I also remember having real wine instead of grape juice. Four cups! And there I was when I was a kid, drunk, banging into walls and giggling.
Your memories are delightful! I love Aunt Helene. Good on her. My father was my grandmother's shayna yingele...they were all pretty nuts, and I loved them. My father and I had a lot of fun together over the years. He loved to celebrate. Family dynamics shape who we become in so many ways. My dad thought he was rebelling....but he really learned this stuff from his very righteous kosher mother...well, except when she was hovering over the shrimp platters at other people's traif homes. You couldn't tear her away. And oh, Chinese food, for her, too. As long as it wasn't in her house, it didn't count. She was hilarious. Apples and trees. We learn what we live. xo
I remember this piece and it's even more Nan-flavored now. Love the pic of your pops. xo!