Remembering SARAH

By Gail Wasserman

^{When “Isadore and Sarah” was written, it was focused on Isadore since it was for the Cornman Reunion of 1991. It seems that little was said about Sarah. So I thought I would add a few special memories about her.}

Sara, Sarah
                                                                                                                                                         

^{Recently while Wesley was working on the family page, he said to me that he just realized that Sarah’s name was spelled “Sarah” and he always thought it was “Sara”. The reason he thought that is because she preferred to spell it without the “h”, even though her real name was with the “h”. Sarah use to complain “I wish my parents hadn’t given me such an old-fashioned name.” She thought it looked a little more modern to spell it Sara. Wouldn’t she have been pleased to learn that Sara and Sarah became one of the most popular names for new baby girls in the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s. And wouldn’t she have been “tickled pink” (her expression) to learn that she has 4 great granddaughters named Sara or Sarah !!!}

^{Number 16}                                                                                                                                                                 

^{I have no memory of the days when Isadore and Sarah were financially well off…it was before my time. What I do remember is Sarah always working even though at that time it was very unusual for mothers to work outside the home. During most of my childhood, she worked at Rubenstein’s, a clothing store on the corner of Canal and Rampart Streets. She worked on the second floor as a saleslady in women’s clothing. She would come home with all her stories and through her descriptions I felt I knew all the ladies she worked with … and even the mean old boss, Mr. Garbady. They had a strict dress code which required the salesladies to all wear black dresses. Their income was based on commission only. Each saleslady had a number which was used instead of their name. Sarah was Number 16, and the “trouble maker” on the floor was Number 13. I always wondered where they got their numbers…did they pick them or were they assigned? At any rate, I thought they were very appropriate numbers…Sarah, being Sweet 16 and the “trouble maker” being that number we try to avoid…Number 13. On a regular day, Number 16 might make $4 and on a good day if they had a coat sale she might make $12. All of her co-workers adored her because she was so sweet and easy to get along with. But of course, no one liked Number 13…the “trouble-maker”.}

A Proud Mother

^{It was Rhea’s idea to plan a group picture of all the children as a surprise for Mother’s Day in 1939. She was always organizing and managing our projects with great creativity. I was only 6 years old and remember the whispers and being told not to talk about the plans. It was hard not telling Sarah everything. I didn’t fully understand if we were keeping it a secret because it was something good or something bad. On Mother’s Day we gave Sarah the picture of 5 of her girls (Rhea, Claire, Betty, Fay, Gail). It was then I recognized that this was a good surprise and one that I would always remember to be the best Mother’s Day gift we ever gave her! She was so thrilled! The next few months she carried the picture around with her in a large paper bag to show everyone. She even took it to Rubenstein’s…couldn’t wait to show it to Number 13. The picture was about 11” by 14”and in a large wooden frame, so it was not inconspicuous and definitely didn’t fit into her purse. However, she inconveniently, but proudly, carried it with her until she finally realized she had shown it to everyone she knew.}

^{A Proud Grandmother}                                                                                                                                             

^{Who remembers Sarah’s favorite piece of jewelry? It was a silver bracelet with a silver charm for each grandchild with their name and birthdate engraved on it. She was so proud of that bracelet which was evidence of her many grandchildren. In fact, there weren’t enough links on the bracelet to fit all 19 names on it. When she would move her arm with even the slightest motion, the silver charms would jingle like bells. She wore her “grandmother bracelet” everywhere she went…and you could definitely hear her coming!}

^{These are just a few of the special memories I have. I’m sure that each one of Sarah’s children and grandchildren could write different stories because we each see things through our own eyes and colored with our own memory. However, I believe we would all have the same conclusion about Sara, Sarah, because she was a super wonderful person and always had a special loving relationship with each one of her children and grandchildren.}