My parents, Leah and Herman Kleid, youngest daughter and son-in-law of Frieda and Nathan, shared a house with them for most of their married life.  I was raised there with my sisters, Lillian and Frances -- and relatives were coming and going all the time. I eagerly looked forward to their visits. Some of them brought me comic books (Uncle Manny), some of them teased me (Uncle Louie), and some of them had  actual conversations with me (Aunt Sarah).   So I knew I was a real and valued person.

I looked up to my much-older sisters, basking in their job successes, marriages and children, some of whom I was so close to in age that I almost considered them to be additional siblings. The Kinsmen, for my mother, was a high priority.  My father,  less demonstrative, felt that way too.  

The aunts, uncles and cousins who often visited to see Zeider and Bubba came bearing joy, fun and love.  I hope that in this video some of that will come through – perhaps you will see it in the quiet sweetness and dignity of Nathan, or witness Leah’s irreverence clutching a doll close to her big belly for comic effect, or catch the mischief in Louis’ grin, or be captivated as everyone was by the handsome presence of Manny and Sylvia, or see, mirrored in some of the faces, the simple contentment at being together.

It was a time when almost everyone lived near enough to visit for a day or evening and the amazing part was that, even then, they fully understood the value of that gift and never failed to utilize it.  Let’s not lose it!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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