NFC West Coast Report
by Cousin Philip

November 26, 2002
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Five year old Jack shows me his get-the-ball-in-the-cup trick. "Dis one is weally hard you know, it's ahmost impossibul..." He greets every new arrival with his inimitable matter of fact joy, his hand gripping a harmonica destined for great moments...

Seven year old Sasha is dressed in a long-sleeved elegant deep red velvet, with sunbursts at the neckline and wrists... tastefully, delightfully exquisite.

And she is, as natural as natural can be, her most casual alert self, knowing that it won't be long before she presents two sonatas on the apartment grand. Call it a dress rehearsal for her upcoming recital.

The kitchen is humming -- the table brimming with dishes that nourish the palate and the soul... Ruchi's knudel destroys the competition, with or without sour cream, Polly's Eggplant... you could hear her and Tanya and Fera talking AGAIN in the parlor... Barbara's Royal Lemon Lervissitude, Gabi's Decadent Apple Chocolate Choccilitude, it is impossible to not nosh... impossible.

YES! ...IT'S THE WEST COAST NACHSHEN FAMILY CIRCLE ANNUAL CHANUKA FAMILY GATHERING, (a week earlier than usual), otherwise known as the mostest gosh darn bunch of lovable Offspring, Spouses, Lovers, friends... mishpoocha.

Hostess Johanna, the young musicians' supermom, leaves university commitments behind to tend to the fires, and will soon have a lump in her throat watching #1 daughter weave talent and delight on the piano.

Out-of-Town*-Guest-of-Honour cousin Anita greets the arriving guests, promised hugs delivered, the catching up begins...

Thank god for holidays, excuses to get together, most of all , thank god for the children, their uncles and aunts, parents and grandparents, fathers turned zaide's, mothers turned bobbes... children turned young adults, new stories, old tunes, catching up, holding on, watching the natural simple magic of our extended family unfold... and with GOOD chopped liver a la Bonnie & Jerry, wine to wash it down, stuffed mushrooms, sushi (a little known ancient tradition begun in the time of the Baal of Chelm, Kyagami Japan).

Special guests included Doris Lempenauer, Gabi's sister, on a visit from her two year working stay in Jerusalem; Melanie in for the weekend from University in Victoria, kids favourite can-do-no-wrong Auntie Ananda, Johanna's sister, Bobbe Tassilie, Bobbe Barbara, (man do those grandchildren have it good!!), Mara Tina representing Elisha and Mischa who were out of town, Ruchi (did I mention the knudel?), Boppin a Satchmo Riff-- our photographer and Zeide in residence -- Brian Tzeni, and last but not least, yours truly... OK OK all the guests were special, of course!

We sang, (keyboard - Gabi, choir directors, Ruchi & Anita, lights - Johanna), we laughed, made new memories, remembered old ones...

Be sure to check the photos. Wonderful times, special thanks to Anita, Zeide Moshe, Bobbe Sara, and the Tradition of HaShem, who keeps the candles burning.

Greetings and a Gut Yom Tov to all the cousins, and happy celebrating in the coming weeks.

** You too can enjoy the illustrious Out-of-Town*-Guest-of-Honour status, simply by: a) not being a BC resident; b) coming to visit; c) timing your arrival to coincide with one of the Family Gatherings; or c1) applying the Anita Principal, and having the Family Gathering coincide with your visit! Knock three times and say Pograbiisht.

(early warning, Cousin Jerry, formerly of Radio Nederland, will be celebrating his 70th! in the near future. Mark you calendars.)

PS. Details of the Great Moments of Jack's Harmonica can not be reduced to the printed word... you'll have to ask one of us. HAPPY CHANUKAH!