Endless Summer

As the unofficial close to the summer draws near (many people consider it to be Labor Day Weekend but its technically Tuesday, September 22nd), it feels like no other end to the summer has ever felt. As a kid, I can remember feeling really exciting and anxious all at the same time about going back to school. As time went by, I grew more and more to feel like September was the “New Year”, not the celebrated January 1st. September, as previously mentioned was “Back to School”, the “Fall Harvest” and more importantly to me “The Jewish High Holy Days” — and combined they always gave more credence to the New Year. An opportunity to start afresh, put things in order, and become the better you in the new year!

This year things feel a bit different. It's hard to imagine, with so many kids not going back to school or having their 1st day of school delayed, it has to be a strange feeling. We don’t have children but I can only imagine that it's not the same. The Fall Harvest will come and there will be plenty of leafy greens and root vegetables at our tables but what will be missing are the guests. Once the weather turns colder, many folks will not be comfortable going inside to share a meal with others. And the heartier we prepare our dishes the more we’ll long to share them with others. And I’m not sure I can even find the words to describe the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days. Usually, we spend time with friends and family, go to temple services, and reflect on the year past and the year about to begin — asking G-d to be inscribed in the Book of Life.

With the unrest on our city streets, chaos in the White House, and so many people hurting financially due to the mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, I really don’t know how anyone can concentrate on self-reflection when all I can think of is trying to find a way to heal this country. There are now 59 days left until the presidential election, we must all vow to do whatever we can between now and then to make the change that our nation is longing for.

As the Labor Day weekend draws to a close my thoughts turn to the fantasy of an “Endless Summer”.

Stay strong, be well, and stay safe.

Pam Damnit