Yesterday was All Souls Day. It’s about as close to ancestor worship as we Christians get, I guess. It is a time to remember the people connected to us who have died, and say prayers for them: May light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace. is a classic prayer.

I don’t know much about my paternal lineage. I may be Jewish. I may be German. I may be both. Sometime before I die, I hope to find out more.

But in the meantime, I do know that my paternal grandparents, both American-born, lived in Germany for a number of years before WWII. My grandfather ran a factory there. They were recalled home just before the Germans attacked Poland, if I have my story right.

For a whole host of reasons, I didn’t stand to inherit much, and I didn’t, when they died. I don’t mind that fact. But I do have the painting below. They acquired it in Germany. I don’t know what it’s worth (or not worth) and it was in disrepair until I had it cleaned and reframed. Over the years, it has an increased importance to me – both intrinsically and the fact that it is something tangible handed down to me. I don’t even know where to begin in terms of having it appraised. If you’re an artist, and know about these sorts of things, I’d be interested in hearing from you.

I’m curious. Do you have items that have been handed down to you? Do you prize them? Or are you nonchalant (I was at first, truth be told)?

Here’s the painting, by the way: