Tonight is the first night of Hannukah. How things have changed! When I was a child this was the most exciting night of the year. The whole family got together. We ate our traditional dinner of potato latkes, brisket of beef and all the delicious side dishes. Afterwards we would light the menorah, sing songs and than open our first present. Since we got a present for eight nights there was always more to look forward to.
There are no traditions left. My family members (mom, dad, both grandmas, cousins, aunts and uncles) who kept these wonderful traditions alive, are no longer with us. My generation and my grandchildern's generation are no longer observing the holidays. We have so many mixed marriages that Christmas has become the holiday of choice.
It's funny how things work out. When I was young, I always wanted a Christmas tree. I felt a bit left out. Since most of our neigbors and friends
were not Jewish, they got to celebrate all the festivities of Christmas.
Christmas morning was just another day for my family .
Be careful what you ask for. Now I have the tree I wanted, celebrate the holidays with the rest of the world and have no one to participate in what I yearn for now, a real Hannukah celebration.
I'm going to light the first candle by myself! I can still keep the traditons
alive.
1 comment:
Harriet,
I will come to your Hannukah celebration, especially if you cook all the traditional dishes. Lighting a candle in honor of your traditions.
Post a Comment