The True Gift of Chanukah

The first night of Chanukah was a true gift to me!

The aroma of brisket was all around us.  I was practically drooling it smelled so good in the house! Erin was trying to figure out how to get some before her daddy woke up.  Normally, I'll take a bit to taste - just to see how it is, but this is one recipe that has never failed me.  I held off.

David woke up & wasn't feeling well.  At all.  But, man was he determined.  His job on Chanukah has always been to make the latkes.  I mean. let's face it, his latkes are yummy!  I told him the latkes could wait, but there was no way he was letting that happen after last year when we had to go without any due to his surgery.

Brisket was served.  Latkes were served.  Erin decided that she doesn't like the brisket.  Of course, she still isn't a big red meat eater so I wasn't upset.  David & I enjoyed it all while she picked at a few latkes.

Erin chose this year's chanukiah (menorah) - the one we got from his aunt when she passed away.  The candles were lit, & the presents came out.  I gave David the complete "The Godfather" series on blu ray along with a book on Photoshop for Astronomy.  He gave me the mp3 player I'd been wanting.  Then we gave Erin her gifts.  She absolutely loved them! David picked out a model for her while I picked out a new necklace - a leather "chain" with a blue guitar pick that has a Jewish star on it.  The iTunes gift card went over well also.

And then the real gift happened.

Erin always wants to buy things for us.  She loves to give gifts.  This year David & I sat her down & told her that the best gift she could ever give to us was something that she made.  She had a holiday bazaar at school at the time so we wanted her to understand that those things would really hold no value.  I told her that when my own mother passed away & I had to go through her belongings, I found many of the cards I had given to her over the years, but only the ones I had made.  In fact, I still have the necklace my brother Seth made for her when he was in, I think, 2nd grade.

Well, Erin came out of her room with a bunch of little gift wrapped items.  Oy! I had to wonder what was in all of those things held together with way too much wrapping paper & about 4 rolls of tape.  (She needs lessons on being frugal with wrapping paper & tape for sure!)  David & I opened each little package.  It seems that Erin really heard us.  She painted some ceramic trains that were in her craft area & wrote cards & letters to us.

Of all the things that were given last night, I know I will forever treasure the little note she typed on the computer. . .