Growth, Clarity, and Joy

My husband and I reviewed our year last night — from my father’s death to the marriage of our daughter, the full spectrum of emotions and experiences.

When we say “Shana Tova,” know that what you wish people is a “Good Year,” as opposed to the January 1st greeting of “Happy New Year.”

People always say that they want their kids to be happy. A lot of our kids would be happy to drop out of school, play video games all day, stay up late every night and eat chocolate for dinner.

What we really want for our kids is to take pleasure in being good — doing the right thing. And doing the right thing might be hard, and sometimes painful. Because doing what is right might mean standing up against your social group or society itself. We want our kids to have the right values, clarity, and courage always to make the right choices. We want them to be good people.

My father’s death was very painful, but also very meaningful as it came with much growth. The one thing that someone said that gave me the most comfort was: “Your father always knew what you did, but now he sees it.”

He wasn’t physically on any of the Momentum Trips, but now he sees it.

He wasn’t physically at our daughter’s wedding, but he saw every moment. And we felt his presence there, very strongly.

I bless you with a Shana Tova, a meaningful year of growth, clarity, and joy. Don’t forget to ask yourself the most important question: “I ask for another year of life, now what am I going to do with it?”

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Shana Tova!