It’s funny that our Gregorian calendar has only one new year day when many cultures and religions have a multi-day period in which to celebrate the ringing in of a new year.
And a multi-day period seems appropriate, doesn’t it? Because an end and a new beginning bring a whole slew of emotions – I like to call this kind of mix an emotional stew. There’s some sadness, reflection, maybe even regret. There’s the hope and excitement of what a new year will bring. And then everything in between. How do you fit all of that into one day??
Rosh Hashanah is one of my favorite holidays. I love the blowing of the shofar and the emphasis on waking up. The loud, discordant sound of the shofar (a ram’s horn) is meant to do just that – wake us up from our habits and help us ask the question: is this the life you want to live?
To celebrate Rosh Hashanah you eat sweet foods like apples dipped in honey and honey cake. It’s also the only time of year you’ll find a round challah to represent the cycle of the year.
The idea is to bring sweetness into the new year. Rosh Hashanah ends with Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. So, there is a somber end to the holiday – acknowledging things you would like to change. Do differently. But it begins with sweetness. Which, I’m sure you can imagine, is the part I like best. Because I’m also the person who would always prefer to watch a comedy or a fun mystery – nothing too serious. So, leaning into the joyful, sweet part is definitely ‘on brand’ for me.
And then there is the name of this ten-day period. The Days of Awe. Days to pay attention to. To savor. Days that change you. Who you are. Awe, wonder, miracles – the best part of this life experience. Awe can be small. Awe doesn’t have to be the birth of a baby or the Taj Mahal. Awe can be a cardinal coming to say hello. A surprise hug. The invigorating smell when you first walk outside in the morning.
I’ve been so busy lately. With kids, helping my mom with her move, getting ready for my fall retreat. The busyness and, I’ll admit stress, seems to suck all the air out of the room – leaving little breathing space for ‘awe.'
So, I needed these days. I needed the shofar to help wake me up. I needed the honey-laced foods to remind me about all the sweetness to come. And I definitely needed to remember The Days of Awe. Which doesn’t have to only be a ten day period in the fall signaling the end and a new beginning. The Days of Awe could be every day. Or maybe every other day. Because that surprise hug is pretty great.
And as much as I wish my crystal ball would finally arrive so I could predict the future, it’s still stuck on some boat or in some port. So, I might as well release any illusions that I have control over what's to come. And soak in these days of awe.
Our new hamster Snowy!
Some of you may have heard about the passing of our dear hamster, Cheddar, from my podcast about a month ago.
I realize that a hamster is not in the same pet 'league' as dogs and cats, but Cheddar was really good to us. She was my kind of gal: she loved to eat, loved to relax and just chill -- she was never too squirmy -- like me. I'm great at sitting still and chilling. AND she helped balance some of the testosterone in the house.
It may sound crazy but we really mourned her passing -- a good egg as my grandmother would have said.
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AND her passing elicited probably the funniest line my mom has ever uttered -- I will literally never forget it! After learning of Cheddar's death by text from one of my twins, she called me immediately and said, "MELISSA! Is Cheddar dead??" "Yes, Mom," I replied. "Melissa, I cannot take this. I can't. First your father and now Cheddar!"
That one is going in our family tomb.
After about a month, we all felt ready to try again. I was in NYC visiting mom when I got a slew of pictures from my boys -- a new hamster has come into our lives -- Snowy!!
She's beautiful. Not as enthusiastic an eater as Cheddar and she definitely loves a bit more physical activity. But, it's fun to see her uniqueness.
Just as with everything else in life, we all love and grieve in our own ways. Just like hamsters, we are all different. And thank goodness!! If we were all the same, it would sooooo boring!
Relish your uniqueness, my friend.
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An Experience I LOVE - Farm to Table Dinners at the Inn at Twin Linden
There's nothing like a chef's menu with locally sourced produce and meats to enjoy the bounty that is fall!
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I am very partial to the Inn at Twin Linden in Lancaster, PA. I met the innkeepers, Kyra and Mike, a couple years ago. I happened to mention to my friend Caitlin that I was thinking about hosting a retreat. And she said, "Oh, that's funny, my sister just bought an inn in Lancaster and is renovating it."
You know I love a good coincidence!
For a few months, I would keep tabs on how the renovation progress was going. And then, one day Caitlin said, "The Inn is open! You should go check it out!"
The idea of hosting a retreat was just a vague idea, but I thought OK, I'll go out to Lancaster and chat with Kyra. We hit it off immediately and I decided -- yes! I'm doing it. This is the place! But then the question was where I would find a chef who was open to preparing food the way I wanted to nourish people. Very fresh, whole foods -- nothing too heavy (no lard which Amish cooking is known for!!).
Well, yet another coincidence: Kyra mentioned her brother John, an incredible chef, might be willing to cook for the retreat. Although she cautioned that he was very busy and would likely turn me down. John and I hit it off right away, and six months later he created the most amazing meals for the ladies who attended my first retreat.
As the Inn became more popular, Kyra and Mike decided to start hosting farm to table dinners with John as the lead chef. These dinners have become so popular, they sell out fast. There is something about the love that John brings to his food, the warmth that Kyra and Mike have created at the inn (the ladies who attend my retreats all remark how warm and inviting the inn feels -- like home); it's just an incredible experience.
So, if you would love a unique, fall dining experience, in an incredible space, with food made with love, it's time to book your seat! The last Farm to Table dining experience for the season is just around the corner! Saturday, November 2nd. There are only a handful of seats remaining (although, I've heard on good authority that Kyra may be holding a few extras for my newsletter readers should you want to attend!).
*Here are a few extra photos I had to sneak in. Kyra and Mike have gotten close with the local Amish community. These ladies have helped with my retreats and with the farm-to-table dinners. You will not find bigger smiles anywhere!!
Have you tried JOY SCHOOL yet??
It's not easy to see the world as this wondrous place where anything is possible. Where you can do anything, be anything. Where people are kind, compassionate, and tolerant.
Frankly, I think most of feel like the world is a harsh place and life is a bit like Sysiphus trying to push that boulder up the hill only to have it come rolling back down once we get near the top. I work with a bunch of folks so I really do know that life feels like this for many of us.
That's what JOY SCHOOL is for. It's meant to provide concrete tools to help you practice seeing your world in a different way. Like when Dorothy wakes up in Oz and everything is in technicolor!
So, if you've been on the fence, this is the time to give it a try before the cost of JOY SCHOOL goes up in the new year (for new folks only!!) I'd love to have you.
You are so worth it!🤍
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