John and I were alone this Holiday Season, well, not really alone. Our extended family was not here but we certainly had our Kendal family and friends around. We had a good time.
It all started on the first Friday in December when we gathered in the morning to decorate the enormous floor to ceiling tree in the lobby. Some of us are artistic and know exactly what to do. Others of us just fit little hooks in the ornaments and admired the progress while we drank coffee and ate cookies. Both men and women brought a variety of Christmas cookies which were pretty and delicious. Then we turned on the lights and proclaimed that the tree was absolutely beautiful!
For the past few years we have been observing Hannukah and have a menorah in the lobby. This year the eight days of Hannukah fell over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two things made it special this year. First, Connie Barsky and Steve Katz, from a local synagogue, came to Kendal before this celebration and taught us the historical background of the event which goes back to about 100 BCE. They brought with them their collection of menorahs, some of which were antiques passed down from their families and one was purchased when they were in Israel. For the celebration on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I asked friends of ours who are Jewish to help with the lighting of the candles and the prayers. Rochelle and Jules brought with them homemade latkes, sour cream, and applesauce to share which were oh so good! The other special part was that one of our residents who is Jewish had her family visiting her and she brought them to the lighting. Then this whole group sang the prayers in Hebrew. This was meaningful and very touching.
Christmas Dinner in the Dining Room was wonderful! Of course we wished our own children and grandchildren were here but we so much enjoyed watching all the other families walk in and gather around the beautifully decorated tables. The chef and his staff outdid themselves in preparing a scrumptious meal.
The Holidays ended with a bang! Well, not really, but we did have a rousing New Year's Eve Party. As has been the tradition for several years, a band called "Doc and the Perfessor" entertained us with old songs such as "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey". Many people danced in a variety of styles and really had fun. The staff prepared a lovely cold buffet and we each brought what we wanted to drink. This party started at 7:00 PM and at 9:00 PM we put on party hats and sang "Auld Lang Syne". Then we wished each other "Happy New Year" and went home. A good time was had by all!
