Burnt Chocolate Stories

One of the positive things that has emerged from this pandemic is our weekly family Zoom calls.  Sometimes all 17 of us manage to show up.  Other times a few are missing.  We catch up on what each of us is not doing since our lives now center on marking time and working at home, staying safe and wearing masks. I look forward to these Sunday afternoon visits as much as if everyone were coming over for dinner. And I don’t have to cook! Here’s what makes these get togethers special: Everyone is comfortable in their own space, lounging in the living room or huddled around the computer. We laugh a lot.  Humor has always played a big part of our lives and has saved us from despair many times. I’m lucky if I see our grandchildren once or twice a year.  Weekly is just amazing. I’m lucky if I see our children and in-laws once or twice a year.  Weekly is wonderful. The grandchildren have reconnected with each other. Maybe not deeply but they are getting to know each other’s quirks.

Sandra and Barbara, 2014 What can I say about my sister Sandra who will live in my heart forever?  She was my friend, my second mother, my confidant.   She died in January at the age of 85, still vibrant and lovely as ever to me.    Sandy was a poet who wrote wonderful rhyming verses for fun, for invitations, for memories.  She wrote stories and books and created beautiful drawings and paintings. A spectacular cook, she could entertain 4 or 40 with ease. Her career spanned decades, from entrepreneur shop owner in Ohio to assistant to the CEO at Grey Advertising Agency.  She’s remade her life so many times with joy and love, it’s been an honor to watch the transitions and successes. But most of all, she loved her family and friends fully and completely.  We made a pact years ago, watching our father die after struggling for years with Alzheimer’s. We wouldn’t stay around for the final exit.  We’d leave while we still had enough understanding of our lives.  Four years later,