(by 3 people)
Blanche Singer
My grandmother, Blanche Singer, was a true matriarch and leader of our family. I miss her every day and think about her often. Her fierce belief in family has shaped the way our family from immediate to third and fourth cousins think about family today and continues on in the generation that has been born since she died.
She was an influence on three generations of our family while she was alive and her legacy lives on in all of us.
This picture is my grandmother, my grandfather, and their three children. My mother was the youngest.
Heros Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
At My Wedding
Bubbie, Grammie, Mom
Bubbie was a small woman physically, but a giant personality in our family. She was a strong, loving, and forthright person.
She came from a religious Jewish family. Her father was a rabbi and her family immigrated to the U.S. from Poland when she was nine years old.
Bubbie was one of four surviving sisters in her family, and was well educated for women of her time. She was married at 16, and had 3 children, the first at age 17.
My grandmother was a terrific cook and baker. She made all of her food from scratch, and made wonderful strudel, kugel and other Jewish delicacies. Her gefilte fish was unbeatable and everyone was always trying to steal her recipe.
I still have her porcelain table that she rolled her dough out on. I asked her to teach me how to make the strudel. As she got older, she couldn't make it any more because it hurt her hands, but I could. Rolling the dough ultrathin was one of the keys. I still remember her telling me that to roll it thinner.
Chicken Soup
Healthy Choice Chicken Noodle Soup, 14-Ounce Microwave Bowls (Pack of 12)
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On Her Wedding Day at Age 16
Family Over All
There was nothing more important to Bubbie, than family. She emphasized it in every conversation, whether on the phone or in person.She was the second oldest in her family, but she became the matriarch of all of our extended relatives. And she took her job seriously. She visited as many relatives as possible, and attended every family event.
And she got other family members to go too. She expected everyone to attend events, and get together, and so we did. And if one of us got out of line, she let us know it by letter or phone. We were part of the family, and we needed to be there.
And that attitude is still embedded in our family character today.
Family Photos
Hanging Family Wall Photo Art Picture Collage Iron Frame
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Ahead of Her Time
The older one was my age. When he was in his early 20's, he decided that he was gay, and came out to his family. Ironically enough, his sister had a baby out of wedlock at about the same time.
Their parents had a really hard time with both situations, and weren't speaking to either of them. My grandmother's stance was simple. They are your children and you need to keep in touch with them because if you don't you will regret it.
And that was the essence of my grandmother, and what made her a hero in my mind. She was all about keeping the family together, and she didn't hesitate to let people know about it. It was the people who mattered.
Bubbie's Legacy
My Grandmother's Legacy
Our entire family gets together at least once a year even though we live many miles apart. My sister lives in LA, my brother lives in Boston, and I live in Cleveland. We are together every Thanksgiving, and usually at least one more time during the year. This is my grandmother's legacy. Family is the most important part of all of our lives.
Do You Have Any Family Experiences to Share?
JaguarJulie wrote...
Ah, I so love the polaroid module that it adds such a fine touch to people's lenses -- your pictures are truly wonderful. Your grandmother's wedding picture is a treasure as I'm sure she was. I am touched by your thoughtful lens.
Posted September 13, 2008
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