Last week, Jewish people all over the world cleaned out pantries and changed dishes — getting rid of all signs of leavened foods — in pious (and arduous) preparation for Passover, the celebration of the Jews’ exodus from Egypt. I was busy getting ready, too, trying to figure out how to wrap bacon around matzoh […]

The other day, my dear (and hilarious) friend Tania responded to an apology-packed email (I had to reschedule a long-planned meeting) with, “Hang in there, remember our people have suffered enough!” I cracked up. As usual, Tania’s timing is perfect. It’s Passover, the week the Jews celebrate our collective suffering more than any other time of year. […]

Annabelle and I were at the coffee shop next to the dance studio this past Saturday morning, having our usual bagel with the other moms and  daughters, when my friend Betsy’s little girl asked Annabelle a question. She had just bitten into a bagel smeared with cream cheese, so Annabelle’s mouth was full when she answered the […]

The Grandma Shrine came down last night. It felt like it was time. I kept all the photos out on the mantle, but the cards and other random Grandma-ish stuff (a page from Annabelle’s journal, a bracelet she’d given Annabelle, the empty hair cream container she also gave her and a bunch of condolence cards) […]