Hello yentingyenta,
I am a single woman coming to Judaism after discovering maternal family roots — no one else in my family is going down this path with me, so I am the only one to light. I am really anticipating these lightings, because to me, it seems almost like some kind of personal metaphor as well…I am beginning to shine the light of discovery into a family past obscured by darkness when my maternal grandmother and family left Germany between the World Wars for Brazil and eventually the USA. I have been piecing together the clues, shining light on them, and by doing so, I feel profoundly connected to my MomMom, who passed away when I was seven. I am reclaiming a part of my family history, welcoming it into the warm light of today, making sure that it is not snuffed out. I hope that you have a Chanukah full of light and joy 🙂