REMEMBERING from page 91
and help her outside. But I was
wrong.
As I watched my grandma shrink
into a hospital bed, I realized her
existence in that apartment, which
seemed to me so depressing, had
actually been quite full. She had her
memories, her routine and the free-
dom to eat cookies for dinner — in
bed, if she so desired. Maybe she
needed me to take her shopping,
but, by golly, my grandma was there
to dictate exactly what I would buy.
I look at pictures of myself as a
child, leaning against a much
younger grandma with smooth skin,
a straight back and strong hands. I
know those photos by heart, but, to
be honest, I don't remember her like
that. I stare at the images and see
hands I know became crooked, a
back that hunched and the skin
which lost its glow. While the grand-
daughter of those pictures was grow-
ing up, the grandma got old.
People say how fortunate I am to
have known my grandma after I
reached adulthood. I know it's one of
those statements that is supposed to
make you feel good, but I can't help
thinking that maybe if I remembered
her better when she was younger, the
:ast year, they came t
droves to dance, shrnooze,
scope the crowd, munch
snacks and hear really
good, albeit a bit loud, live music.
This year, it's a different story.
Hopefully, the young adults will
still come in droves but the annual
Purim Bash has changed its pro-
gram. On Saturday, March 14,
beginning at 9 p.m., the festive
Purim get-together will feature a
carnival much like days of old —
only this time, it's for adults.
Expect dancing, carnival and casi-
no games, a velcro wall, magicians,
caricaturists, massage therapists and
a palm reader. Oh yeah, and don't
forget the video games and door
prizes.
memories wouldn't be as sad.
It is one of the unfortunate reali-
ties of life that we missed those
younger years. But I am so thankful
to have been there for her later on,
when she needed me. I know I did
brighten her day, even in the days
when she was no longer strong
enough to lean on the shopping cart.
My grandma always said she'd die
before living in a nursing home, which
is exactly what she did. My sweet
grandmother is gone now And I'm
not sure what I'll do on Sundays.
❑
HAPPENINGS
Saturday, Feb. 28
Tuesday, March 3
YAD Havdalah party for older
adults. 7:30 p.m. Fleischman Resi-
dence, 6710 W. Maple, West Bloom-
field. For young adults, 21-35, and
seniors. Call Jim Rosenberg, (248)
203-1455.
To pray or not to pray? That is the
question. 7 p.m. Rabbi Michael
Moskowitz, Barnes & Noble Book-
sellers, West Bloomfield. Call Lainie
Phillips, (248) 354-1050.
Sunday, March 1
Prepare and deliver Purim parcels with
YAD. 12-4 p.m. Call Jim Rosenberg,
(248) 203-1455.
The challenge of cloning: ethics and
new technology noon. Young Jewish
Humanists lunch. Cost: $5. (248) 477-
1410.
Monday, March 2
B'nai B'rith Leadership Network
pool league is now forming. Play
begins March 9 at 7 p.m., at Fifth
Avenue Billiards in Royal Oak.
Call Mike Kahan, (248) 362-4666.
Sunday, March 8
Hillel of Metro Detroit coffeehouse
night. 9 p.m. At Lonestar Coffee Co.,
207 S. Woodward, Birmingham. (313)
577-3459.
Brunch, B'nai B'rith Leadership Net-
work. 11 a.m. Einstein Brothers Bagels,
Orchard Lake and Maple. (248) 788-
NEWS.
Sign up now!
March 20-22, spring Shabbaton,
singles 30 and up, Bais Chabad
Torah Center, West Bloomfield.
Featuring Dr. Leo Steiner, talking
about relationships. Cost: $175 per
person. Call Rochel Crockett,
(248) 855-6170 (email:
bctc770@aol.com).
SINGLES TRAVEL
West BloomYfie
* What. Youn
and Carnival
* How To Get More Informatio1'1 -
Call SharonWise,'
se, (3 1 3) 577-3459 '
Sponsors-include Hillel of Metro
Detroit, the Yo un Adult Division
and the Community
outreach and
t .
Education De
of the Jew-
ish Federation, Pa H B'nai
nai B'rith Leader-
ship Network, adassah's 1<uach
chapter, Tempi Israel,' the Jewish
an
e
The Jewish
ews
N
Commud
Michigan State tiniversi ty
Hillel.
❑
--- Lynne Meredith Cohn
MARCH
March 22-29
March 11-15
Jamaica, Renaissance Grande Resort
with Premier Jewish Singles. Cost:
$1,555. (800) 444-9250.
Snowmass/Aspen ski trip, Israel Bonds
young leaders. Cost: $999 per person.
(248) 352-6555.
APRIL
March 18-April 1
April 1-5
Israel trip with the Jewish Community
Center. Led by Nancy Lipsey. Call
(248) 661-7721.
Skiing at Park City Utah with Step-
pin' Out. Cost: $820, members. (773)
509-8595.
March 20-22
Apri11-7, 15-22
Spring Shabbaton, singles 30 and up,
Bais Chabad Torah Center, West
Bloomfield. Featuring Dr. Leo Steiner,
talking about relationships. Cost:
$175 per person. Call Rochel Crock-
ett, (248) 855-6170 (email:
Bicycling tour, the Antebellum South,
Mississippi. Easy ride, flat with some
gently rolling terrain, 15-45 miles per
day. Historical Cycling International.
(714) 499-0342 or email
bctc770@aol.com).
March 22-24
92
cycling@gte.net .
April 19-26
London, England with Premier Jewish
Singles. (800) 444-9250.
The 11th United Jewish Appeal
National Young Leadership Confer-
ence in Washington, D.C. Cost: $185,
plus hotel and airfare. Detroiters who
make a minimum $200 campaign
pledge can receive subsidy from the
Federation. Call Tanya Mazor-Posner,
(248) 203-1456.
Cancun trip...for the unattached (ages _
25-40), sponsored by the Jewish Com-
munity Center. All-inclusive package
for either three or seven nights. Call
Sharon, (248) 661-7721.
March 22-29
April 23-May 1
Skiing Banff/Lake Louise, Canada.
Cost: $1,475. A portion of the fees
will go to the New Israel Fund. (800)
666-4857 or email:
Israel Bonds new leadership jubilee
delegation to Israel. Jewish profession-
als, ages 28-42. Call (800) 229-9650,
Ext. 500-502.
.
njs@skimoguls.com.
2/27
1998
Friday, March 6
April 23-30