Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 68 - Private Talks

"What was all that about between you, Cindy, Julie and Rosemary while we were talking in the living room?" Greg asked his wife during their stroll with Melody in the garden. The rest of the family was there too, exploring some of the many paths on their own.

"Mmm," Susan said, pursing her lips together. "I'm not sure I should say."

"Why ever not?" Greg asked.

"Because ... it's Rosemary's news to share ... hers and Neil's, not mine; and I promised I wouldn't say anything. Not until they are ready," Susan said.

"Ah, Neil did say something about starting a family while we were talking earlier," Greg said.

"Yes, exactly," Susan said. "After all, it seems to be the thing to do, once younger couples get married."

"And some older ones too," Greg reminded her.

Susan exchanged a look with her husband, thinking about Melody and she smiled. "Yes," she said.

Greg smiled too, falling silent as they walked.

"So tell me, Greg. Are you pleased with the way the Seder turned out?" Susan asked.

"I am. Why do you ask?" Greg asked.

"Because, what we did last night was far more formal than what we usually do during Passover," Susan said. "Except one time at Julie's, I think our dinner last night was far more structured and ritualized than anything else I've experienced."

Greg looked at her oddly. "Did you mind?"

"No. As John said last night, it was a wonderful experience ... very moving in some ways ... but I thought you might," Susan told him.

"Why?" Greg asked looking perplexed.

"Because ... I was worried we Christianized it too much ... I'm not even sure that's a word, but what I mean is ... for us it was part of the Holy Week observance, which is distinctly Christian, even though the ceremony of a Seder is uniquely Jewish. I was just wondering if it caused some conflict for you," Susan said.

Greg studied his wife. "You know I never object to you practicing your faith."

"Yes, I know in the past that has been true. I suppose what I'm asking is ... did we interfere with yours?" Susan asked. "Because for us, it was part of practicing our religion rather than faith ... and I wondered if the Seder isn't that for you too."

Greg considered Susan's question. "Holding a Seder is, as you've said, a distinctly Jewish event ... and it is part of our religion. But it is also one of the ceremonies which traditionally welcomes all who come ... including outsiders. For that reason alone, I have to say we didn't mind. I doubt anyone present aside from those you or John or the Goodmans mentioned it to, know of the Seder's significance in your religion."

"Did holding it do what you hoped?" Susan asked.

"For my family ... for my children, it was a moving, healing experience; a chance to acknowledge for ourselves that as Children of Israel, we are part of the continuum that stretches back, unbroken for more than 3000 years. Earthly generations come and go, but that tradition ... that legacy if you will, is still there ... whole as it has been for centuries. And we and our loved ones, both past, present, and future, have a part in it. We are part of that whole. Celebrating the Seder as we did reinforces that. I have found that helps the healing process when loved ones die," Greg said. "I know it did for me ... when my father died."

"You were never able to do that when you lost your mother," Susan recognized.

"Yes ... we celebrated Passover at the Catholic mission that year. You tried to make a haroset for me for supper one of the nights," Greg remembered.