Tigger, Pooh, and a New Year
I remember in college being at the Disney Store with my friend Michele, trying to justifying buying ourselves Tigger and Winnie the Pooh costumes to wear for Halloween (Once again, yes, I was a very cool college student.)
We finally pulled the trigger on the Tigger and Pooh, reasoning that since we’re Jewish we would be able to wear the costumes twice every year. once on Halloween and once on Purim. The costumes wound up being very well made and we have definitely gotten our money’s worth. My sister even wore mine last Purim at her temple. Ah, yes, Rabbi Tigger.
Beyond double chances for costumed holidays, Being Jewish also means I get to celebrate two New Year’s. One I spent September in the psych hospital and this one I will celebrate tonight out and about with a friend. And those New Years are just the ones on the calendars.
I have spent a chunk of the last four years with this disease not in remission, with fighting suicidal thoughts, with strapping on electrodes, and with thinking I am done.
But I am not.
With this disease I get 365 chances to start a new year again. And without this disease I do too. We all do.
I have been meditating for two weeks – (That year is two weeks old)
I haven’t hurt myself in over 6 weeks (That year is over 6 weeks old)
I started my job in May (That year is seven months old.)
I have been surrounded by supportive friends for as long as I can remember (Going on over 37 years there.)
And so tonight I will ring in another year and hope it is filled with stretches of health, many steps forward, and the ability to enjoy and recognize both of those.
Happy New Year, Friends
