And so the games begin! First, we have to empty every crumb from our home and they appear everywhere! When do you remember eating a breakfast bar in your dressing area?
It's everywhere! CHUMETZ! The "enemy" strikes, again! The thought of going away to just ONE Pesach Resort Program is so overwhelmingly tempting!
It's a great way to get away while still observing Pesach but for some families, it breaks up the "the group." I've watched families for years get along together for Pesach as it's only two nights but once this group goes AWAY for Pesach together, it's done.
Without revealing identities, "some people I used to know" went together for Pesach to a resort. This was a nightmare! There's something to be said about not knowing people until you "live" with them. Not only did I not want to be in the same hotel as these people, I didn't want to be seen in PUBLIC with these people! Bad manners are magnified when in you're in their group. "Where's the soup? What's taking this waiter so long? I'm still waiting for the RED horseradish!"
My mother in law, (G-d rest her soul) died one year ago today. Her Passover Seders remain the strongest of my memories. Obviously, we had our "unusual" daughter/mother in-law issues but when it came to Pesach? She was the BEST! Her recipes, her concern over her 4 kugels! MY concern over the 4 questions! When it came to the part of the "Stupid Son" inevitably, if it fell on the "wrong person" reading that line... OY! You get it.
After my father in law passed, someone decided it would be a "great idea" for Ruth to pay for the family to go "away" for Pesach.
This was the beginning of the end.
After those first two nights of Pesach in Florida I was done. Aviva was only 1 and I was pregnant with Tovah. There was no joy or connection as there was no "Ruthie and friends" experience. I told my husband we were leaving after the second night.
The insistence that everyone "go away" for Pesach destroyed whatever relationships we had. No more family stories sitting around Ruthie's table. As the family continued to "go away" every year, not being invited wasn't the loss. The loss was my children never having a single memory of being with their Grandmother at Pesach.
I write this on the exact anniversary of her death. Her handwritten recipes are still a staple in my home as Ruthie's brisket was a BRISKET! My time will come when I, too will be at a resort for Pesach but if G-d allows me to live long enough to become a grandmother, my family even if for just one night will be in MY home keeping family and friends together.
VJ readers, enjoy your Passover and sweet dreams... of red velvet cake that you won't have for WEEKS! The Jewish Hunger Games begin!
