Passover Week
27 April 2008Hi Folks,
Last week, we were in Florida for Passover.
We got into Ft. Lauderdale Airport on Friday night about 10 PM. Flights were uneventful (thank G-d) and my folks picked us up. Delray Beack is about 45 miles north of FLL airport, so we drove back, hit the IHOP for some late night food, and then went to my folks newly purchased winter-condo.
My folks bought a two bedroom, two bath unit in something called Kings Point, which should have been called Fort Dix. It looks like an array of army barracks. Here’s a photo
The unit with the missing patio area belongs to my parents. The patio was a casualty of the last hurricane, and they hope to rebuild it next winter.
While this is a populated area, it seems that it’s populated entirely by my relatives. My mother’s sister (Aunt Mickey), One of Mickey’s kids and her family, Mickey’s sister-in-law, my mom’s first cousin Sheila, her husband, two of three children and their families, etc. Also various second cousins, uncles, aunts and others.
 Steven (Married to Cheryl), Cheryl (The youngest sister), Morty (My father) |
 Vivian (My mom — the eldest sister), Mickey (the middle sister), Roseann |
On Saturday, we went to the Chabad of Delray, then on Saturday night, we had the first seder. We had nine people. My cousin Shari, who is 26, sang the four questions. Shari is a class act. Unfortunately, the age difference between us led to us living in different parts of the country, so I don’t know her as well as I do some of our other cousins.
Our Seder started at 7 PM, earlier than is halachically (legally) permissable, but considering that we ate at 9:45, and didn’t end until 1 AM, I think we made a good choice.
Sunday’s (second) seder featured eight people, six of whom had been at the previous event. We were all experienced seder hands at this one, so, starting at seven, we finished way-early. 11:30. Note that I was the youngest, and said the four questions. I also stole the Afikomen.
Some of the highlights of these seders for me were the sharing of family traditions. I always learn a lot about my maternal family when I sit with my mom and Mickey. Most of my childhood holidays were spent with my father’s parents, so the melodies that my mom and Mickey bring are different from those that I learned. We sang things three ways, and enjoyed each one.
This week, for the intermediate days of Passover, we have been touring, sleeping and visiting. I’m enjoying spending the time with my family.
I also went to Shul each of he intermediate days to help make the minyan. This is an ecletic bunch of guys, but I enjoyed praying with (and visiting with) them.
At the end of the week, we flew back to San Diego. Another pair of uneventful flights. We are back at Thousand Trails - Wilderness Lakes.
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