Yesterday, Hanukah began and Natalie wanted me to explain to her what Hanukah is. (Yeah, not her dad who is from Great Neck, me… the chicky who has gone to Catholic school - although I’m not Catholic - all my life)
So in a last minute, unexpected history lesson, I tried my best to explain to Natalie about Hanukah.
I told her that there was enough oil to make light for eight days instead of the one that was expected so there was enough oil to last until new oil arrived, told her that Jewish little kids light one light (or candle) each night for eight nights to remember that miracle and instead of candy canes and one night of presents like mommy received it’s a tradition now for little kids to get gelt and one small gift each night for eight nights. (Of course she remembers the chocolate gelt because she got some last year from a relative.) I told her that everyone who celebrates Hanukah gets to eat latkes and fried donuts which I think confused her because she eats latkes and fried donuts.
So then I tried to mention something about why the dreidel is significant to the miracle that happened with the oil. No joke. I was totally not prepared and I wish I was. But I think I did an OK job.
Lukie was invited to a Hanukah party this year. I asked his dad to take him. Yeah, well now we know why I said “invited” and not “attended”. Argh. Next year, I’m just going to have to take the kids to all of the holiday parties they are invited to.
But for now, here’s to praying Miss Natalie doesn’t overhear the word “Kwanzaa” and ask me what it is. Or even worse.. Chrismukkah.
