January 2020

Happy new year.  What?  Didn’t we already say that last September at Rosh Hashanah?  Of course we did, and we have another opportunity to say it now, since January 1st on the secular calendar is also the beginning of a new year.  We have another chance to make resolutions for change, if we would like.  In a sense, we are “dancing at 2 weddings,” as the saying goes, living in both cultures.  Perhaps it is a good thing, to be able to commit to change, growth, and renewal again.
 
   On the first day of Jewish holidays we say a special prayer, the “shehechayanu,” in which we praise God for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this day.  How do we understand this prayer?  It is a prayer of affirmation.  For some of us, we have made it to this point in our lives, and it has been no simple task.  We may not remember the number of birthdays we have accumulated, or the many ways we have ushered in this day in the past.  We may just want to acknowledge that we are alive, to thank God for our lives and the many blessings we have.
 
   As we think about what it took to get us to this point in life, we know that there were many people who supported us and continue to do so.  We are grateful for their presence in our lives, and this is an opportunity to thank them.  Just a little note of gratitude might make their day, as you will see in my example below. 
 
   I often write these articles well in advance, by a month or so in some instances, and as I write this today, it is actually just after Thanksgiving.  So giving thanks may be on my mind.  However, something else just made my day, a few minutes ago.  I got a text from my oldest granddaughter thanking me for the delicious Thanksgiving dinner and for allowing her to stay over at my house for most of the weekend.  (As if I minded!)   She sent a bunch of heart and love Emojis, too.   She is a not the type to send texts other than necessary ones for logistics, etc., so this was truly a rare and special one.  So I will start this new secular year on a high note and I hope you will too.  Happy new year, again!