family
... cookies and treats. These treats tasted the best when slipped into my small palm with a wink and a quick whisper of, "Shhhhhh, don’t tell your mother." The Food, however, was more than just sweets. It was Steak Dinners, Lobsters, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and fresh Corn on the Cob. When Papa was diagnosed with kidney disease and my grandparents permanently relocated to Florida, we all wondered if, in fact, Papa would change his eating ways. It must be stated that this is no small task, especially for an Agid who has thoroughly enjoyed Eating for almost seventy-three years. He did change his ways, and soon the fridge filled with strange drinks and odd foods. Low in protein and carbohydrates, these new foods seemed far from the life of fine dining that Papa was accustomed to. Steak and Potatoes were replaced with Silk Energy Drinks, Tofurkey, and Just-Add-Water Starch-free Potatoes. Papa's favorite thing had always been fine dining, and whenever The Family gathered he would put his health aside to take us all out to a four star restaurant. If anyone was the least bit dissatisfied with any of the food, Papa would send it back, often several times, until it was Just Right, much to the chagrin of everyone else. The level of noise dropped the instant the food arrived. The quarreling of four children and five grandchildren quickly subsided to the happy sounds of chewing. When we were all done, Papa would call over the waiter and argue over the quality and price of each item, furthering our embarrassment. When Papa passed away this year, between Hanukkah and Christmas, The Family rushed to Florida. And Nana greeted us with a teary, “Here, let me get you something to eat.” The first night that the entire family gathered at Nana’s she said, “Well, go on, EAT! It’s what he would have wanted you to do.” And of course the house was filled with Huge Platters from Katz’s Jewish Deli. After the funeral, we sat Shiva. If you are unfamiliar with the Jewish faith, sitting Shiva means that Every Single Person You Have Ever Known comes to your house from two PM to five PM to talk, and to eat. And then they come back from seven PM to eight thirty PM to read prayers in Hebrew. Hebrew does not look anything even remotely like a written language. It sounds, to me, and my non- Hebrew speaking cousins, like a cross between someone talking in their sleep and someone co...