The Long Way Home

January 10 through February 10 marks the “dead of winter.” Today is my mother’s birthday. Today is also the day both my grandfather and my great-grandfather died, 9 years apart, the husband and the father of my grandmother (whose birthday was January 10). My grandfather had a heart attack after shoveling snow and I can barely remember how my great-grandfather passed away, most likely old age. The eerie significance of dates and time, the superstitious Hungarian in me wonders what is the connection for my family? I feel tied to this day. When I think of February, it’s usually dark and full of snow, no hints of warmer weather. Promises of spring still 6 weeks away.

1948