Yom Kippur Thoughts

Excuse me - Entschuldigung

Sorry - Tut mir leid

I was looking at German words to describe the high holidays. As Yom Kippur is only days away, I find myself thinking a lot about loss. My loss, other's loss, my home country's loss and the world's loss.  And well, I find it overwhelming.

When we think of Yom Kippur we think of remembering those that have left us.  I often keep myself extremely busy, particularly at this time of the year, to not face the losses of life.  Add the pandemic and well - I am finding it even harder to slow down. However, last night I forced myself to realize, I can fill my calendar every last second, but memories, loss and  sadness will be there.  And that is ok.

Another aspect of Yom Kippur is forgiveness. We ask those we may have hurt this past year for their forgiveness. This year, seems insurmountable.  Where do we begin? Our family? Our friends? To the black lives that have been murdered by our white privileged society?  To those forgotten in the Greek Refugee Camps? Mother Earth?

This post wasn't about answering the questions I poised  - it was about acknowledging them and beginning the process of how to do better in the new year.

And so I wind down my technology outlets. Today, I will get ahead on my early week tasks and then sign off until Tuesday morning.

Specific hope for the Erev Yom Kippur:

To those I have hurt this year, I am sorry - and I hope I get to say it to your face - or at least video face to tell you personally.

To those that fast, may it be easy.

To those that mourn, may memories of love flood your hearts.

And for my thoughts during this time:

To those that hurt, may tomorrow bring less pain each day.

To those that need healing, may tomorrow bring you good health.

To those that seek love, may tomorrow be the spark of love that you seek.

To those that struggle, may tomorrow bring a ray of light.

To those that fight anxiety, may tomorrow lessen your challenge  and ease each step.

To those that fight injustice, may tomorrow bring renewed strength to continue the fight.

To those healing the Earth, may tomorrow bring healing to you as well.

To those that feel despair, may tomorrow bring hope.

And to my American friends, may tomorrow bring you to the ballot!  

Gmar Tov