My earliest "family" memories are of Grandma Sarah's and Grandpa Nathan's house in Bradley Beach. We often stayed with them before we actually moved to Bradley when I was 4. A lot of my memories revolve around smells and food. I remember grandma, covered in flour, baking apple pies (always a multitude). The kitchen smelled delicious. I would love eating the apple pie while it still warm, although I was warned that it would give me an upset stomach. There were roses growing on trellises, and geraniums in the garden. To this day, I associate the smell of geraniums with grandma's house, and if you are observant, you can see me in my garden smelling my geraniums with my eyes shut- deeply breathing in the scent and the memories.Kreplach making time was also a favourite. No one can eat as many cheese kreplach (smothered in melted butter) as I can. I've been in training since birth. I can remember a lot of card playing. Regardless if it was with friends or family, it was a very special happening. Lots of talking, laughing, and cake. (food again). If I could be quiet, I was allowed to stay around and watch. I was always quiet. Not that I would have been able to articulate it the time, but I was aware of the warmth, friendship,and enjoyment. It all felt really nice, and I wanted to be physically near it.

One traumatic memory particularly stands out. I wasn't quite 4, but I can remember it vividly. I was in the dining room at grandma's. My mother was in the room with me. I daresay there were others, but I can only picture her.The doctor came in to the room and told my mother that my brother Steven had polio.(now that I'm am travelling back in time- I can remember grandma in the room, too). I can clearly recall more than one woman crying hysterically. Polio had not that many years before devastated the family when it struck down Zelda Leibowitz, and they understood the seriousness, and were distraught. Luckily, Steven had a very mild case, and pulled through unscathed.

I can remember my mother crying,(and washing the floor) when grandpa Nathan died, but I'm ashamed to say I can more clearly remember hitting a balloon back and forth across my parents' bed with my cousin Jon Lee, and having a lot of fun.

Uncle Morris and Aunt Rae had the seder.Often we would travel to Hillside and get together with the family. I was overawed, felt thoroughly inadequate, and hoped I wouldn't be called on to utter a single Hebrew word. I tried my best not to make eye contact with Uncle Morris in case he asked me to do anything.

Again, smells play a large part of my memories of the seders. I couldn't specifically tell you what I was smelling, but as I walked through the door, there it was, Aunt Rae's seder smell. But I do remember being introduced to boiled potatoes with salt water, and a poor substitute for my beloved apple pie, an apple something made out of matzo meal.Apparently, it was wonderful. I could never understand how it could be wonderful if it wasn't actually apple pie.

I sometimes ponder on the slightly unusual memories that  the mind captures and ear marks for special retention.  The only memories of my brother's bar mitzvah are my new, and very grown up white patent shoes with the squash heels and Cheryl Samuel's incredible hair do. This leaves me wondering about myself. Anyway, Cheryl looked so glamorous I could hardly stand it.Grandpa singing "Daisy, Daisy" and Uncle Hymie taking quarters out of my ears are also very clear.

When we are in north Jersey a visit had to be made to Uncle Harry's store. Talk about remembering smells! Who would ever think that cushions and curtains could have such a distinctive smell. At the time, those moments at that store, were probably some of the longest moments ever spent. I couldn't figure out my mother's excitement and enthusiasm.It was my first brush with torture.

Grandma and I were very close. Being the only granddaughter was pretty good. She showered me with love, and I can't remember a single occasion when she raised her voice or even seemed  angry with me. There were many times she would sit and tell me about the "old country", and I wish I could remember more. There are just glimpses of fruit orchards, walnut trees, and going to school by horse and waggon. I would ask her to say things in different languages. I was so impressed that she spoke so many languages. I would make up a sentence and then ask her to say it in every language she knew. Her favourite was Italian. She said that her and grandpa loved Italian.

My mother told me that grandma didn't want to marry grandpa. She was in love with someone else, and cried bitterly. But, the arranged marriage stood, and they wed. Love and devotion grew, and never had she known a happier and more in love couple than her parents.To  her, they were the epitome of love and marriage.