Family party

My father had all the local Ritchies over to his house for Chinese food. That's what working-class Irish do to celebrate an important event: they have Chinese food. We got take-out from a great place in Putterham Circle, in Brookline. My father has long researched the symbiotic relationship between the best Chinese restaurants and Jewish neighborhoods, so he knows exactly where to go.

Great-Grammie Ritchie took center stage. Her eyesight isn't great, but her mind is just as sharp and opinionated as it ever was.