The weekend was absolutely marvelous. No, I didn’t hit the lottery! Better yet, I spent a “ girls-only weekend” with my daughters.

Meredith and I had been asked to speak in Portland, Oregon for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. I spoke on the Role of the Jewish Grandma and Meredith, the keynote speaker, spoke on Creating a Balance: Incorporating Our Traditions In A Modern World.

Meredith and I flew to Portland together, having lots of fun on the plane eating junk and reading magazines. At our gate, we were met by Jen who flew in from San Diego. After arriving at our hotel, quick showers, and a change of clothes, we started out for, what else, shopping. The shopping area in Portland was charming and even had a great deli. We shopped until the stores closed and then took a cab to Wildwood’s, a great restaurant. At dinner, we laughed, had wine, yummy dinners, and great desserts. I don’t remember when I last spent this kind of time with my daughters together. We acted like friends, just hanging out. I loved it and didn’t want the evening to end.

Sunday, to a packed audience, I had the pleasure of speaking but had true nachas in introducing Meredith as the keynote.  Not only did I kvell just listening to her speak but was so thrilled watching her sign her book. She had worked so hard and now The Modern Jewish Mom’s Guide to Shabbat was being so well received.

The women of Portland and Federation were so welcoming, warm, and genuinely hospitable. From picking us up at the airport, to goody bags in our room, to just an overall graciousness, Meredith, Jen, and I felt like we were with friends we had known for years.

The weekend was wonderful on many levels. Seeing  my girls as independent, professional women, beautiful with a great deal of poise but also as loving daughters made me again feel so blessed. Watching them enjoy each others success reinforced that the future of my family was in very good and strong hands. I do, however, wish that we had been able to have these girls’ weekends before this. When the girls were growing up, the extra money for luxuries of special trips just wasn’t there. Then they were in college, married, and out of the house. Girls’ weekends are different than family trips. As the girls lovingly said, Daddy would have had the maps out and not wanted to shop. Now that the girls are married, with small children it is hard for them to get away especially coming from two coasts. I really hope that before the years pass further, we can do this again. It was a mother’s dream weekend and from what they said, they enjoyed being together. If any of you moms get the opportunity, please grab it. Even better, grandmas, make it three generations if possible. I really hope we can do this again and include Sofie to our list. Hint! Hint! Meredith and Jen, Chicago in the Fall?  The shopping and museums are supposed to be great!

If any of you have any suggestions for other trips please let me know.

 

Buddee

 

By the way, if you have any questions, or have ideas for something you’d like me to write about, email my daughter and she’ll tell me (I’d say to email me, but…well…let’s just say I’d won’t be giving advice on how to use a computer.)

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