It seems like a long time ago now that we, make that I, reclaimed Christmas.  I don’t expect that the winter holidays will always be perfectly smooth but our last Christmas and then New Years cruise seemed to reset my holiday clock better than anything else.  Distinct differences and concrete plans worked miracles.  Prior to last year, I was not only missing our pre-death holiday ‘routine’ but also missing the friends with whom we shared many thanksgivings and a few Christmases—people and plans I thought would never change.  Then there was change.  Ah, embracing those Noble Truths.

Last Friday, another holiday clock ‘got’ reset— Passover.  David and I enjoyed hosting seders since before we were living together.  How many years ago was that? (Only Jan knows.)  Our seders evolved and sometimes disappeared while we were in school or traveling.  When we lived on Washington Boulevard in Indy, we had room for big parties and we indulged.  I don’t remember when David started writing our Haggadahs or when we began expecting Cheshire to play or write something for the celebration.  We cooked, many times for days.  I think it was the only time I’d take a day off work to get ready. Continue reading →