Passover
This is the first chance all week that I've had to blog and wanted to post this today…I'll answer your questions next Friday. Have a great weekend.
We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had never been to a seder until I met my husband Richard, and I have nothing but fond memories of celebrating the holiday at his parents’ home every year. This will be the first seder without Richard’s Dad, Ben, who passed away in February.
Ben always led the readings and no matter how large our family gathering became--as more and more grandchildren joined the fold--he always made sure that Richard read the role of the "simple son" (it was a family joke, of course).
I never knew how much I could enjoy brisket and a glass (or two) of that wonderfully cheap Manishevitz wine, not to mention watching the kids search high and low for the Afikomen (hiding of the matzoh).
Richard’s mom, Mimi, is driving to our house this afternoon with a car full of Passover treats. I’ve already ordered the gefilte fish and matzoh ball soup from the specialty store Barney Greengrass in New York City. [I’ve mentioned before that I make a mean chicken, but when it comes to gefilte fish, I leave that to the experts.]
Tomorrow evening as we gather around the table, there will come the time when tradition dictates that we open the door for the prophet Elijiah—the belief is that his coming will usher in the Messiah. A glass of wine is set out on the table in anticipation.
This year I’m sure we will put out a second glass of wine in hopes that Ben drops by as well.
We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had never been to a seder until I met my husband Richard, and I have nothing but fond memories of celebrating the holiday at his parents’ home every year. This will be the first seder without Richard’s Dad, Ben, who passed away in February.
Ben always led the readings and no matter how large our family gathering became--as more and more grandchildren joined the fold--he always made sure that Richard read the role of the "simple son" (it was a family joke, of course).
I never knew how much I could enjoy brisket and a glass (or two) of that wonderfully cheap Manishevitz wine, not to mention watching the kids search high and low for the Afikomen (hiding of the matzoh).
Richard’s mom, Mimi, is driving to our house this afternoon with a car full of Passover treats. I’ve already ordered the gefilte fish and matzoh ball soup from the specialty store Barney Greengrass in New York City. [I’ve mentioned before that I make a mean chicken, but when it comes to gefilte fish, I leave that to the experts.]
Tomorrow evening as we gather around the table, there will come the time when tradition dictates that we open the door for the prophet Elijiah—the belief is that his coming will usher in the Messiah. A glass of wine is set out on the table in anticipation.
This year I’m sure we will put out a second glass of wine in hopes that Ben drops by as well.
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The first holidays have a loss of a loved one are always the hardest. My thoughts are with your family. I'm sure Ben will be sure to "drop" by and is always in your hearts.
You do a great job Meredith, thanks for being you!
Thank you for writing such a touching blog. My father-in-law was Jewish but was cast off from his faith, the whole rending of cloth thing, when he dared to marry my mother-in-law who was a Swedish Lutheran. Both my late husband and his brother were never told of their roots by their father, mother, or both sides of their families. Even though they later put all the pieces together, they never pushed the subject, and my FIL never told them otherwise until shortly before he passed because he wanted to be buried according to Jewish tradition.
So my husband grew up not having the wonderful experiences you related to in your message and in turn my two children know little of their heritage and ancestoral traditions.
I don't fault my in-laws, for those were different times, but do wish their children and mine weren't denied knowing all of the blood that flows through their veins.
Have a wonderful Seder.
Oh Meredith from experience I can say it is always hard when the first holiday comes around. I am sure that Ben will stop by to check on the family. As I am sure he will want to check on Richard to make sure he carries on the family tradition. My heart goes out to you and your family.
As always you make my day because of who you are! Thanks just for being you!
I can relate to this post all too well....having just gone through a year of "firsts" without my father. He passed away a year ago and although I will never miss him any LESS, I've discovered that it gets easier to remember him with a smile on my face instead of tears. As you set out that glass for him, make sure its with a smile, and not a tear--i'm sure he'd want it that way.
good pesach
Hope you and yor family and a ziessen Pesach!!!
I will think of you when we open the door for Elija.
Meredith,
What a beautiful post. This is a first for us too this year, our beloved Aunt, my mothers sister will be the one "drinking" from our cup. Passover has always been my favorite holiday for just the reasons you mentioned above.
Thank you for sharing another part of yourself with us. Happy Passover!
I also want to wish you a wonderful Seder. The first holidays are always very hard after a loved one is gone. He will certainly be there in spirit, and memories. I am not of the jewish faith, but have a lot of jewish family members and have celebrated with them their holidays as they do ours. My step father was adopted and grew up in a jewish family, my maternal aunt was jewish changed to judism before i was born , and my niece is married to a jewish man and she is catholic. My own son, is married to a Japenese woman, whom i must say we adore, i am not sureof her religion. It all does not matter, as we all make up our family. Enjoy the holiday. bless you and your family.
People say it all the time, but holidays are really the hardest. My grandfather Jack died when I was 12 and even though five Christmases have passed since then, it still always seems like someone is missing. However, my family has made a habit of sharing Jack stories at holidays. Not only do we laugh a lot, but hearing my family's memories of my grandpa makes up a bit for the time I never got to spend with him. I realize from their memories what a true "character" and good man he was.
Just a reminder. Alcohol can increase the risk for breast cancer in post menopausal women by up to 50%, especially if you have had the disease in your family.
Meredith,
Please start this as a NEW POST...BEING CALLED KATEY.
What was it like for Ann to call you Katey? Was that the first time that has happened on the air? Was it truly an accident or was it a Freudian Slip (where someone subconsciously has a belief that comes out as a supposed accident in their speech but in reality that is what they believe)??? So truly an accident or did Ann relate better with Katey and somehow wish she was there instead of you????/
Please start a new post.
PS: I'd MUCH rather have you on the show. I see you as a more grounded and mature (with a spark for life) than your predecessor.
Sue
I hope your seder was wonderful, and I am sure Ben is grateful that Mimi has you all to celebrate with. Thank you for the touching reminder to cherish such family times.
Shalom.
Susan - Are you honestly for real with your comment about alcohol? THAT'S your comment to a post like this one? A heartfelt post about family and loss and grief and celebration - you show up with some warning about the dangers of drinking?
Pathetic.
Sorry. Don't mean to derail the comment thread, but seriously - I had to read Susan's comment twice to make sure it wasn't SPAM.
Beautiful post, Meredith. Holidays are hard ... especially the first one after the loss of a loved one. Hope your seder was wonderful.
Very lovely post, Meredith. I hope you enjoyed your Passover holiday.
By the way, I agree with Molly. That comment about alcohol was very tacky. Shame on you, Susan.
As far as Anne calling you Katie I think it was merely an error. I worked one place for 36 years and every once in a while I answer the phone with the name of the company I worked for. My husband died 8 years ago and I have called a friend that I have gone out with my husband's name. I am surprised it has not happened before. I have noticed that the Today staff seems very happy with Meredith and I am also. Before when Katie was there I felt she dominated the show and wore all the cutie kind of clothes. Meredith and Anne and the rest of the women wear prettier clothes suited for that type of program. I doubt that Anne Curry would hurt anyone's feeling as she seems above that.
Ann's father died not long ago so Katie (having known him) has probably spoken to Ann recently. It was also Ann's first day back after the funeral.
It seems that Ann has a great rapport with everyone she interviews. There was an easy camaraderie between her and Laura and Jenna Bush this morning. It was clear that both of them have a passion for teaching.
Hope you had a wonderful family time remembering your father-in-law Meredith. As for the alcohol comment, you never know why people say what they say. A cancer patient may feel the need to warn others.
Could you please tell them to get more of the GO GREEN TODAY bags, Matt said you had them on your site and they are all sold out. if you had more I am sure they would sell like crazy
Joan K.