Here, too, it was each woman to her own grief. I didn’t know where to place myself

MY aunt, one of my mother-in-law’s sisters, is sweeter than mango in season. All you need is one look from her to know that you are noticed, appreciated. Celebrated, even.

She’s also as unpretentious as they come. If I’d share these thoughts with her, she’d probably swat my shoulder and offer me kugel.

The gift of this aunt is in her presence alone. There’s not a judgmental bone in her body; she just delights in whomever she sees as if they’ve painted her day even brighter than her own sunny outlook. But in the tangible realm, her greatest gift to me was a hug.