Tonight is the first night of Hanukah (or Chanukah, or Hanukkah!).
It is a holiday that feels a little bittersweet to me. I miss seeing the candle's light sparkling in my son's eyes when they were younger. I miss the excitement they got when they each opened one gift a night for eight nights. I miss making a huge batch of latkes (potato pancakes) for the family that would be devoured almost as quickly as I could get them out of the pan. Salted and crispy, we would put a dollop of sour cream or applesauce on top of each one.
Tonight, both of my grown-up boys will be lighting the candles on their own menorah's and celebrating the holiday with their children in Minnesota and Maryland. They will see the candle's glow reflected in Owen, Audrey, Celia and Dylan's beautiful faces. Presents will be opened and joy will abound.
This is as it should be. It is now their turn to make their own wonderful family memories at Hanukah time.
As for me, I will light the first candle on my menorah and say the prayer quietly to myself. After dinner, I may get out some old videos of my boys and watch the joyous memories that I have from those days years ago...and, laugh at how young we all looked back then.
I will smile as I look back....and feel fulfilled as I look ahead....knowing that the circle of life is alive and well in my family.
Happy Hanukah my dear children....I love you all,
Grammie/Mom
It is a holiday that feels a little bittersweet to me. I miss seeing the candle's light sparkling in my son's eyes when they were younger. I miss the excitement they got when they each opened one gift a night for eight nights. I miss making a huge batch of latkes (potato pancakes) for the family that would be devoured almost as quickly as I could get them out of the pan. Salted and crispy, we would put a dollop of sour cream or applesauce on top of each one.
Tonight, both of my grown-up boys will be lighting the candles on their own menorah's and celebrating the holiday with their children in Minnesota and Maryland. They will see the candle's glow reflected in Owen, Audrey, Celia and Dylan's beautiful faces. Presents will be opened and joy will abound.
This is as it should be. It is now their turn to make their own wonderful family memories at Hanukah time.
As for me, I will light the first candle on my menorah and say the prayer quietly to myself. After dinner, I may get out some old videos of my boys and watch the joyous memories that I have from those days years ago...and, laugh at how young we all looked back then.
I will smile as I look back....and feel fulfilled as I look ahead....knowing that the circle of life is alive and well in my family.
Happy Hanukah my dear children....I love you all,
Grammie/Mom
2 comments:
What a wise woman you are! Thank you for your beautiful post and Happy Hanukah. Annie
Happy Hanukkah, Mom! If it makes you feel any better, we thought that tomorrow was the first night?!? We realized our mistake right as we were putting the kiddos to bed. We decided we'd give them a one day extension on the back-end!
Post a Comment