The guestbook

“We were in Hawaii at a sushi restaurant and Mom couldn’t eat anything but rice and drink sake. She got “tipsy” with my auntie Jenny and made friends with the table next to us. She then went on a rant to me about their life story. She looked me in the eyes and attempted to do the voice she normally uses when she wants to emphasize something serious. She brought up how they almost died from COVID as if it were a warning or lesson to me. I love her so much and it really showed me that my mama tries her best to parent and protect me even when she’s in an altered state.”

“While certainly inspired by her 115mph speeding ticket in the G20 returning from year book camp. The first time I knew Miriam was definitively cool was when we light up parliament lights on Pesach second days in the stairwell of Winston towers. Miriam ripping cigs was an absolute glitch in the matrix.”

“Miriam is the only who could get Ben to come to our house on Shabbat when vacationing in Florida. Every time I tried he told me we should go to the hotel. We couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law. Miriam is family oriented - always asking us to join with the family - more like insisting we come whether to Chicago or anywhere else - Israel, Hawaii. We love you like another daughter. We are so happy you are an integral part of our family. Wishing you the best birthday!”

“Mom likes to say she’s not intimidating but she intentionally scares my friends. I had a box of alcohol in the corner of my room that mom had knew about. My friends and I were in there preparing for a party, and mom barges in, gasps, kicks the box, and yells “Iyla, how could you?!” I knew she was joking, but my friends sat there in fear and in shock. It was only when mom smiled and giggled to herself when everyone released a breath. So yes, mom, you are intimidating. But I still love it and hope to be as scary as you are ❤️”

“One time Miriam convinced me that I could make body armor by layering multiple pairs of underwear so I put on all my hulk hogan and ultimate warrior tighty whitys on and to test it she told me I have to get dad angry so of course naturally I did and I also left my ninja turtles as booby traps on the stairs my dad got so angry and went to patch me but he couldn’t due to the amount of undies I was wearing. The joke was on me as the underwear was cutting off circulation in my legs and they turned red It was also during my moms lesbian stock club meeting where she would meet with like Sue Ann Teresa and a bunch of other women to discuss stocks”

“As you know Miriam is a big germophobe and she also used to love onion rings. So one time we ordered food and she got onion rings I asked for one she said no. So I quickly grabbed one when she wasn’t looking and she was yelling at me to give it back to her and I wouldn’t but then coughed on it and said here have it. She refused and told me to eat it. I thought she was going to murder me”

“One time Miriam was trying to teach me how to properly apply shampoo at grandmas house and she grabbed grandmas lotion called udder cream which I then pretended to rub on my boobs”

“One time we invented a royal family Daniel was king penis Miriam was queen vagina and I was prince tushy”

“Miriam was 5 years old and in preschool. One day I get a call from her teacher who is laughing so hard that she couldn't catch her breath. Evidently, Miriam was wearing a bra that she stuffed with tissues. When I came to school and asked her about it, MIriam said that she wanted to be a woman. Made perfect sense to me.”

“To the woman who makes one of my best friends happy and helps him thrive in so many ways, happy birthday! Before I knew how delightful, passionate, creative, and what an all-around wonderful person you are, my earliest memories of Miriam goes back to the summer of 1996. Jon and I were camp counselors at Camp Apachi (Miriam was working there too) the summer Jon was living at my house in Skokie. My first memory of her is watching her and Jon together, talking. I had seen her before through my brother’s friend circle. I had no idea then that they'd fall in love and build a family and life together but even in those early moments, I could tell how special she was. Since then, I've had the joy of watching that family grow; the home she and Jon built, the incredible mother she's become, the love she pours into her kids and the community work she is passionate about. And somewhere along the way, she became so much more than "Jon's person" to me. She became my own dear friend. What I love most is how her friendship doesn't live in its own little box; it's woven into my family's life and into so many of our shared friendships. She has this gift for making the people around her feel connected to each other, not just to her. That's a rare thing, and I don't take it for granted. So today, I'm not just wishing a happy birthday to Jon's wife or their kids' mom, I'm wishing it to a woman who's brought so much richness into my own life and my family's life too. Miriam, thank you for who you are and everything you've built. Wishing you a very, very happy birthday on your special day!”

“That summer when we told Miriam she was too young to go out with someone who had already graduated high school.”

“When Miriam was born, we entered the greatest adventure of our lives: becoming parents. From the very first moment we held her, we were absolutely convinced that she was the most beautiful, extraordinary, and precocious little girl anyone had ever been blessed with. We marveled at every smile, every new discovery, and every milestone, certain she was destined for remarkable things. More than four decades later, we can say with complete confidence that we were right. Miriam has filled our lives with immeasurable joy, pride, laughter, wisdom, and love, and she continues to amaze us with the compassionate, accomplished, and remarkable woman she has become.”

“When Miriam was in college I spent a weekend with her in New York. We went to see Beauty and the Beast and spent Shabbos together. It was a great father-daughter weekend.”

“For 31 years, I’ve been lucky enough to have Miriam as my big sister. I will always treasure all the memories and stories. When she lived in New York, she would call me to read me Harry Potter. Also, she helped negotiate a good deal for my first car :). Love you Miriam, happy birthday!”

“Miriam is the most special person to me and I am so lucky that she is my sister. She is so thoughtful and the best aunt. My kids love being with her. She is very generous with her time and care. She helps anyone in need. She will drop what she is doing to help others, or work to find a solution to help anyone in need. I look forward to our weekly Shabbat/martini dates; they are one of the best parts of my week. Our friendship started 14 years ago when I first started dating Ben. After getting through the minor hazing, it was clear we were going to be close. I loved visiting her and Jon in Seattle. She made me feel so welcome. I always looked forward to Passover because her and the family came in and we got to spend time together. She came to my bachelorette party and that’s when I knew she was always going to be in my corner and support me. When we had Asher, she helped me that first week transition into a new mom. She taught me how to do the car seat as I was freaking out I didn’t do it right. She taught me how to do the bris aftercare since I was in a whirlwind of emotions during that day. I can always count on her for advice and guidance. Luckily for me, she moved back to Skokie. Miriam, Jon, Jacob, Iyla and Judah are so important to our family and I am so happy they are so close. We love spending almost every Shabbat together. I am truly the luckiest that she is my sister in law. I can never divorce Ben, because I wouldn’t want to lose her. Miriam, I love you so much. The world is better because you are in it. I wish you the best birthday and many more happy and healthy years to come.”

“Auntie Miriam is the best aunt. She is so giving and always brings us toys and snacks. She makes the best schnitzel on the planet. We love spending Shabbat together each week. She is always playing with us, doing Noa’s nails, and takes the best care of us. We love her so much and are so lucky to have the best aunt on the planet. Love, Asher and Noa”

“Growing up together… camp.. high school… summer posse… meeting you at 3am at Dunkin Donuts after your first date with Jon.. ❤️ “growing up” together with endless memories (and I’m lucky to have you to remember them!!!)”

“Happy bday to my first love. Thanks for being there for the good the bad and.....the eyebrows. Time to go back to Greece?”

“Living in Seattle, you were a second mother to my children, and I couldn’t have done it without you! We’ve lived through so many stages of life together, and I can’t wait for so many more! We’ve been through it all! So many memories we’ve made and so many more to come. You hold all the places in my heart ❤️”

“One time Miriam laughed so hard she sneezed and farted”

“Always the princess”

“One time Miriam told me I was never born”

“Miriam went to Israel and became much more spiritual. She bought me a siddur (prayer book) and wrote me a very sweet message. I still have the siddur to this day and when I put on tfillin I always read the message. Love you happy 45!”

“Before me you only had a regular uterus but after me it was renamed the Roos and now we’re forever connected by it. (Today we’re celebrating when you left Magas roos but still) 🤰”

“The time we saw Jonah’s friend at Pizza Cave and he asked if he knew her and she said “I think you do!” So bold! I get shivers and giggles thinking about it every time!”

“Lifecation”

“Growing up, Miriam has always been my #1 fan, protector, and support system. Miriam always listens to my stories despite lack of details, provided me with a lot of useful and supportive life advice and most importantly laughs at my jokes. Miriam met Danielle, tried to grill her in public, saw how strong Danielle was in her response and immediately provided her stamp of approval/let me know I’m going to marry Danielle. As much as I hate to say this but “Miriam was right”. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing (blood) sister and someone who cares for me as if I was her child. I love you so much Miriam and look forward to celebrating many many more bdays with you ad 120! TG you are 45 still alive and looking amazing!”