1. We had our third Tofurky (that's a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast, with a turkeylike "roast," tempeh "drumettes," "giblet" gravy, and "wishstixs" to simulate a wishbone). This year, curiosity got the best of a couple people. My uncle Harry, who's probably at least 70, tried a slice and declared it as tasty as the Turduckhen my parents served. My mom's brother Ricky and his wife Laurie ate some and said it was tolerable. This made me feel good, since while I see the humor in the existence of Tofurky I wish people people would give it a whirl. What better time to dine compassionately than at Thanksgiving?
2. My grandmother brought me a really old siddur (prayer-book) for carrying in the wedding. This siddur was carried by my grandmother, my mother, and my aunt, and now it's my turn. It's a small white book with gilt-edged pages, made in Austria and copyrighted in 1937. It's got a small, ornate latch to keep it shut. It's incredibly beautiful. Also, my mom's sister Debbie offered to loan me some earrings that had belonged to my great grandmother, which many women in my family have also worn for their weddings. I'd have to get my ears repierced to wear 'em, but I've been thinking about doing that anyways.
I'm kind of blown away by how much closer to, and connected with, the women in my family I feel through the loaning of these heirlooms for my usage next June. I'm really touched, and for the first time I can remember I feel like a part of something significant on my mom's side of the family (I feel real connected to Dad's family, mostly because of my deceased grandmother with whom I have a lot in common). It's one thing to read about a powerful matriarchy, and quite another to experience it. I appreciate my grandmother's blunt directness, my mom's interest in talking to anybody she comes in contact with, my mom's sister's ability to tease and be teased. These may not seem like the best qualities in a woman (they certainly all have other qualities, many of which are far finer than these "questionable" ones), but I see them all in myself and I love that I got these things from these three women. I love that I can call it like I see it sometimes and let any consequences roll off my back. I love that I'm not intimidated by strangers. I love that I can show my affection by being snarky towards those I love, and that I can take it when it's doled out in return. I think these are fine qualities I've inherited from the Bober women, and I'm proud to carry them through my own life. To me, that's what the siddur and the earrings represent: when Erin and I affirm our love for one another, we will be affirming ourselves and our imperfect families and all the rest, all in the package.
I'm pretty thankful for Grandma, Debbie, and Mom. And that really came home for me this year. :)