Chanukah

Today is the anniversary of Seymour's passing. He died on the last day of Chanukah. Alissa, Benji and I lit the candles, sang the songs, ate the latkes, and felt the missing men in our lives.

Judah loved all the holidays. As a young child he identified with Judah the Macabee. His was named for my grandmother Yehudith, (Judith) and Daniel for the Biblical Daniel, who showed bravery and strength. Mehri named her son Danny Seymour for both Judah and Seymour. He will be a year old Dec 31.

We have a collection of Chanukah Menorah's. A very large bronze one that is probably 100 years old. My father found it at an auction of the Higgenson estate upstate New York. It was blackened and neglected. No one else in the area had a clue what it was so we were able to bid $25.00 for it. Another menorah is a wood base with brass holders no more than 1/8 of an inch in diameter. Judah made it in grade school. The addition to the memorah collection is a wire mesh sculpture of a lion with candle holders along its mane and back. Rounding out the collection is a small oil hanging memorah probably Moroccan, a modern glass and stainless with the Hebrew words forming the backdrop which holds the glass oil cups by the artist Wolpert and the most whimsical one is row of miniature ladies shoes.

As I displayed each one, I remember watching the children's face as they watched the candles flicker, and trying to teach them to spin the dreidle. In adult years Judah's poker chips would double for pennies.

Judah's favorite gift to give was lottery cards. He would be deliberate in choosing which lotto game to play, the highest amount any one won was two dollars. I am not sure they were cashed in.

This year we are low keying the holidays, just wishing every one a good and meaningful holiday.

Love
M