[September 22nd, 2015]
About a week ago—while going through stacks of books, I came across a lone journal of mine. It had somehow found its own path, away from all the other journals stacked neatly against my "keepers" bookshelf.
Opening to the first page, I saw the first entry and realized that this was the journal I started almost exactly 1 year ago, the day of Yom Kippur. I remember writing in this on the Stephen Kenn couch that morning—listing out what ended up being the 20 or so "sli-chot"/סליחות or "sorries" that came to mind; things that I wanted forgiveness for, or things that I wish I could have reacted against differently over the past year.
Going through them this morning, I see that I've made some progress since October 4th, 2014—and there are still some sorries on there that I would like to focus on and change.
Aviv and I are not very religious people—but we do take part in honoring the symbolism around each holiday, as we observe them in our own way; adapting it to what it means for us, in our lives.
As tomorrow approaches, we will start prepping for the fast this evening at sundown.
Though it's meant to be a very sad day in the faith, I always appreciated the symbol of a fast—where suddenly by denying the body of food and drink (and all the other fun things you can think of ;) ) for 24 hours, you start to realize life's priorities in this bizarre way. Priorities for the body, and priorities for the soul; which by the end of the day feel very separate.
If you've been following along these posts long enough, you can probably tell that I am the serious one...
Case in point, here's how Aviv grew up:
Every year Aviv tells me about a very different Yom Kippur; the one of his childhood where all the friends gathered and came over to his place. His mother would stock up on candies and ice cream and Bamba (you gotta try this stuff!) and they would pull the curtains down in his room + watch movies in the dark like a theater; one after another with an endless flow of snacks and Bamba. It was their favorite day of the year! :)
Not this year, haha.
And why not? Life is meant to be fun!
We did that together for the first few years here...and then I decided to grow up a little, to truly use this day to fast from the pleasures in life and to spend lots of time writing and reflecting.
Without a couch to spread across this year (Aviv for his movies, and me for my journals), our Yom Kippur might be slightly more rough and less comfortable than years past. But yes, his movie marathon will not be stopped, nor will my journaling. The iPad is already juicing up for the main event; and his little journal friend is next to him just waiting to be opened. Two very different peas in a pod; in many ways, kinda like Aviv and me. :)
So—we'll check out for a day or so and wish everyone to whom this day is a relevant symbol, a very easy fast, and if you're very observant, a very good day of judgement in the book of life.
Catch you Thursday! :)
-P&A