Bubbie's Gifts

My mother-in-law would have loved being with Banner on his first Hanukkah. I can just see her watching him delight in the lit menorah, sweetly telling him "No, no" as he reached for the flames.  She'd laugh at him banging on a present, oblivious that the wrapped "something" was NOT the gift, and she'd be on the edge of her seat (literally) clapping and saying, "Yay!" as Banner was perfectly content to just play with the unopened, unwrapped gift. (Oh, seriously, I can hear her voice as I write this post!!)  I just know she would have lit up watching him chew on the paper she used to wrap a special gift just for him. Her smile would be priceless as she would be giddy with excitement just watching her grandsons open their holiday gifts, figuring out what they just got, and giving hugs of thanks.

We have missed her this holiday season, just like we do and will do every day. Holidays are hard when a loved one isn't there - especially the first holiday without him/her. But, Banner's Bubbie was certainly a part of his Hanukkah celebration this year. Lucky for him, his Aunt Gayle and Bubbie went shopping before Bubbie died. She bought him a gift for Hanukkah that Gayle gave to me shortly after Bubbie's funeral: "My First Chanukah" bib. In addition, Bubbie had signed Banner up for a free book club called the PJ Library. Each month, a book, CD, or DVD will come his way until he is 6 years old! Grandma also signed Banner up for this special program, so each month, Banner will receive a gift from his grandmothers, and in this way, Bubbie's gifts will just keep coming!

This first PJ Library gift is a lullaby CD called "Every Little Soul Must Shine," and we think it's a pretty fitting gift because Bubbie's soul continues to shine on - through these gifts, through her family, and through our little boy! Happy Hanukkah, Leslie. We miss you. Thank you for all your gifts!