Tomorrow is the last day of Mardi Gras. This is, in my opinion, just another day to "do all the sin and degradation" that can be done, and then repent the next day with "sackcloth and ashes."
As I can't usually eat a lot at one meal, consuming massive amounts of food and drink just isn't something I enjoy very much any more. To me the day means a lot more.
Symbolism of Fat Tuesday, to me, means I'm leaving the "worldly" things behind and entering a period of time that fasting and prayer replace. I know traditionally the Catholic or Orthodox Churches are the ones who actually use ashes on the forehead to indicate penance. I would like to attend a service in which I can participate and receive the "Ashes of Repentance." I haven't found one yet that will allow a "non" member of their church to participate. And, even if that doesn't happen, I will still observe the traditions of Ash Wednesday.
Someone just needs to see me and realize that I have "sacrificed" very little in my life. This is probably one of the reasons my "illnesses" have caught up with me, but I want to make Lenten Season especially important this year. I am beginning another era of my life - the move, the relationship, and the changes.
After all the chaos of moving three different locations and merging into one, I am "Waiting to Exhale" so to speak. For those who have not seen the movie, this is a period of time when everything eases, settles peacefully down to a rhythm or routine and life becomes enjoyable, maybe for the first time in your life. For me, it will be another feeling of rest. It seems as if I have held my breath for so long. Shabbat Shalom. Pray for peace.
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