“May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind.” —Author Unknown
Yesterday, afternoon was Cecile’s and my turn to pick up our granddaughters Lyla and Emmy after preschool. We have them on Mondays and Thursdays. The first thing we do when we take them to our home is to have them wash their hands and we prepare some healthy snacks for them to eat. Lyla loves to help her Nonnie Cecile make and bake. Since it was a special day—the first day of Hanukkah, in addition to their usual snacks—helped their Nonnie make a very low sugar Berry Crisp. Emmy likes to be read to during her snack so I read "Hanukkah in Little Havana," and later Cecile read "Bubbie & Rivka’s Best-Ever Challah." Lyla who will be five soon, has been baking with her Nonnie since she was two years old. She once told Cecile, “we’ve been baking together a long time.” It appears that Emmy will be following in her big sister’s footsteps. This ritual makes for some very special time together and some very yummy Challah.
Speaking of Challah, the photos of Lyla making a braided Challah bread with her Nonnie Cecile was on a recent Friday Shabbat. It was so amazing how she is able to create the braids on her own accord. I can see how it gives her a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Cecile lit the shamash or Shammus candle which is the “helper candle.” It is the ninth candle for the Hanukkah menorah. Cecile then helped the girls use the helper candle to light one additional candle for the first day of Hanukkah. Then it was it was gift time, and the girls joyishly open their gift bags.
