40 Days and 40 Nights

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It's really amazing how quickly Ash Wednesday rolls up. It seems like an eyeblink from Christmas. Easter palms are burned and ashes are marked in a cross on my forehead to remind me from whence I came. I don't mind being reminded on this one day, in this one way. There is a strange comfort in the familiarity of it all.

Last year I wrote about Lent, and what I planned to do for it. Only one person sort of took me up on my offer for free writing and editing services during the Lenten season, so I thank that person for allowing me to fulfill a bit of my Lenten promise. Happily, that turned into my doing much more volunteer writing, helping me hone my skills.

Right now I'm so damn busy writing—freelance and otherwise—that I can't repeat that offer. But, as I said last year, I prefer to  do something instead of give up something. Sacrifice works for others; I won't knock it. But I think that Lent should also be a time of healing and nurturing and love. 40 days and nights of opportunity.

I say opportunity, because we're only human, and sometimes folks don't have it in them. Those are the people who need our love and light the most. From the ones who are going through temporary troubles, to the ones who are immersed in a constant dark night of the soul.

So this year I want to do these things for Lent. I do this in honor of my father who passed ten years ago on February 23. He was a man who was always a gentleman and who always tried to do the right and kind thing:

I want to honor all promises made, past and present. So folks to whom I promised things, speak up and I'll do my best to fulfill those promises.

I want to listen, really listen, to my friends and hear them, without judgement.

I will think very hard about my motives before I speak to anyone. I will ask myself—"Why am I saying this?" and "Will it help or hurt the person I'm telling?" Even if it's the truth, it's not always necessary for me to tell it. Sometimes silence is blessedly golden. I will try very hard to not knowingly hurt anyone.

So, my people, my lovely people, I'll see you on the other side in the vanguard of Spring.




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