So, are you smiling?

[Andrea Cooper]

My grandmother used to say "So, are you smiling?" at the end of every phone conversation. She's been gone for many years, but think of the value of such a short, sweet question. A reminder to enjoy the little things in life; take a breath and find something to smile about. Of course, she also said "This too shall pass," which conjures up other emotions, less happy but also reassuring. Let's hear it for Jewish grandmothers! She may have fed us all enough trans fats to clog our arteries with blintzes, knishes, apple cake, bagels and lox, meat loaf and brisket, but she left a sweet taste in my mouth and strength in my veins forever--for Dora Roseman (on the right in the photo below)

[Ed Kaitz]

Thanks for your post.

My father's mother, a Russian immigrant who moved to Revere, MA when she came to the states and got married was also a very strong Jewish Old World grandma.

One of my favorite memories of her is her hugging me in my mother's kitchen right in the middle of chopping up loads of red cabbabge.

To this day, red cabbage conjures up her inside of me very vividly, and I feel connected to the Old World.

Point of Inquiry: Since from eternity no time is passing, our dear departed are really really with us, or just around the corner!