Atone with the Universe, by Martha Thomases – Brilliant Disguise

September 26, 2009 Martha Thomases 4 Comments

These are the Days of Awe, the time between the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashonah, (literally “The Head of the Year”) and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  During this time, one is supposed to consider the year that has just ended, and how one can make things better in the year ahead.

For the goyim reading this, let me explain: it’s not like Lent, and it’s not like Confession.    One doesn’t do anything in public, like get baptized or denounce one’s sins.  And it’s not like New Year, when you make resolutions to improve yourself.  This is not a time to go on a diet (except for Yom Kippur, when one fasts), nor is it a time to start training for a marathon.

The confession is between each individual Jew and our God, or Higher Power, however one may define it. The atonement is the important part.  We have to make amends for our sins, and act to make the world a better place.  With that in mind, I’m meditating on the following truths:

10.  Just because my son is so incredibly brilliant and talented that he shines in performances with world famous movie and television stars, this is in no way a reflection on me or my abilities as a mother.

9.  In a related issue, my son is so incredibly brilliant and talented that he really doesn’t need me telling him what to do with his life, especially not on Facebook.

8. People who call from Mayor Bloomberg’s campaign at all hours, even on Sunday, to ask me how I’m going to vote, are only trying to earn a living, and should be treated with the same civility I would like to enjoy when calling.

7.  Menopausal symptoms are not very interesting to people who don’t have them.

6.  There seem to be many millions of people who live between the East and West Coasts.  They are human beings, just as we are, and worthy of respect and compassion.  Rolling one’s eyes when they speak – especially at town hall meetings, or on Fox News – doesn’t help anybody, even though it’s extremely satisfying.

5.  Similarly, tourists really have no way of knowing how we do things in New York, and should not be derided for their ignorance, at least not to their faces.  Some of them might have guns.

4.  It is good for a person to read books about things other than murders and vampires.

3. My family, immediate and extended, is a blessing.  No matter what they do, or how often they do it, they are a blessing.

2. There is more to life than yarn.  Even cashmere yarn.  Even cashmere sock yarn.

1.  And, most important, despite enormous evidence to the contrary, the world does not revolve around me.  And, even if it does, it’s better for me to act like it doesn’t because then I look humble and even more admirable.

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Media Goddess Martha Thomases has observed this holy time by being completely awestruck by how beautiful New York City can be every year at this time.