Joyce! I'm a Gentile in Indiana. I miss my tribe too. I had an Uncle Frankue who was a character, lolol. Mom crossed over 4 years ago. It's my brother, nephew/ wife and me now. We just hang out, talk, pie/coffee. Keeping it simple. I get my turkey, stuffing, cranberries at a local restaurant. Life is so different now.
I can also relate to your mother and the opera. It makes no sense to be stabbed, sing for 45 minutes, then die. I had her Met moment in Chicago. When Lucia appeared after her wedding night, wearing a white nightgown decorated with blood, and holding a knife, I said to all and sundry, but I thought only to my husband, "Some girls just don't like sex."
I laughed out loud the minute I saw it. Instead of cash in the Irish clan, you were sent home with some useless knick-knack that belonged to your great-great grandmother…usually a rolling pin. I mean, we were Irish, all ephemera was practical!
This is so sweet, so funny, and SO relatable. I especially love "I had a dream of being theo nlyu person in American receiving both Social Security and Chanukah gelt." It's PERFECT, Joyce!
Beautiful.
so sweet
Thank you for bringing to life another time with humor and affection. Happy Thanksgiving.
Joyce! I'm a Gentile in Indiana. I miss my tribe too. I had an Uncle Frankue who was a character, lolol. Mom crossed over 4 years ago. It's my brother, nephew/ wife and me now. We just hang out, talk, pie/coffee. Keeping it simple. I get my turkey, stuffing, cranberries at a local restaurant. Life is so different now.
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 🍽️. May your memories bring you joy.
What a gang!
(And my bubbe looked like yours.)
I can also relate to your mother and the opera. It makes no sense to be stabbed, sing for 45 minutes, then die. I had her Met moment in Chicago. When Lucia appeared after her wedding night, wearing a white nightgown decorated with blood, and holding a knife, I said to all and sundry, but I thought only to my husband, "Some girls just don't like sex."
Happy Turkey to you and Herb.
Margo, Joe Green was how my mother referred to Giuseppe Verdi. Don't ask.
I laughed out loud the minute I saw it. Instead of cash in the Irish clan, you were sent home with some useless knick-knack that belonged to your great-great grandmother…usually a rolling pin. I mean, we were Irish, all ephemera was practical!
I can relate.
Sweet as a cinnamon babka :)
What a lovely essay! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joyce, whatever you're doing.
Love this one.
Aw, love this, Joyce. ❤️
This is so sweet, so funny, and SO relatable. I especially love "I had a dream of being theo nlyu person in American receiving both Social Security and Chanukah gelt." It's PERFECT, Joyce!
One of your best Joyce and very funny.
Yeah, me too. There used to be so many of us.
I've been forwarding this to everyone I know. Zei gezundt mine Substack mishpocha:-)
Aw . . .
Wonderful story and wonderful writing. I've missed both since you retired. So glad you're on Substack!
Thank you, Carter. This is the pleasure, for me, of Substack. I can publish myself.