When we go to visit my youngest sister at “camp boo” in the summer, we enjoy one of their many traditions of “Highs and Lows.” It is a simple one.
At dinner we go around the table and share the high moment and low moment of the day. Sometimes there are as many as 13 guests around the dinner table, so there’s a lot of sharing going on.
When I try to do this sharing thing around my small family table at home, I usually get groans and reluctant participation. They don’t enjoy it as much as I or the campers at my sister’s table do.
I love this kind of stuff. It could probably be said that I am one of those people who is always trying to appreciate the meaning in the moment.
I also like to make New Year’s resolutions. I do it every year. The cool thing about being Jewish is that we celebrate the Jewish New Year in the fall and then there’s another one in January. I know that Chinese New Year is also an option, but I have not gone there yet.
One of my many resolutions last January was to start using the calendar on my computer. I have been very successful at this, adding a smart phone to the mix and syncing the two. I have even gone so far as to find a way to update my husband’s electronic calendar with our family schedule.
For Rosh Hashanah I usually take a more spiritual approach. But I make resolutions nonetheless.
So instead of torturing my family this year, I have decided to turn to you and ask: What is your New Year’s resolution for 5772?
Perhaps you will be more like the campers at “camp boo.”
Being Jewish in Hawaii 
Sep 28, 2011 @ 23:43:29
Now you know why I come to you when I need to know what’s happening and when, and who is driving the Hebrew school carpool this week. I haven’t made any resolutions yet, but I might need to consider organizing my own calendar.
Sep 28, 2011 @ 23:59:05
I think that writing and editing a novel is resolution enough! I loved your blog today about weaving the chaos of your life into your writing. It seems much more enjoyable than forever trying to organize it!
Sep 29, 2011 @ 00:57:16
As the director and head camper of camp boo, I feel I must respond to your blog. My resolution for the Jewish New Year is to try to go with the flow more, and not over organize or over plan or agonize over camp boo activities. Whatever happens, we’ll all have fun. Hope you will join us for fun at camp boo in the coming year.
Sep 29, 2011 @ 01:41:49
Amen, Sister. I promise not to sync you to my online calendar for anything more than travel dates! I’m still deciding on my resolutions, but I think they are along very similar lines in terms of being flexible!
Sep 29, 2011 @ 19:24:02
Lorrie, your Blog is always enjoyed and most times gets me to thinking……So I will offer this resolution: To enjoy more “in the
moment” instead of constantly waiting and planning for some event
or other that is in the future. Aunt Barbie
Sep 30, 2011 @ 00:32:32
Hi Aunt Barbie. That sounds good to me. What I like about hearing other people’s resolutions is that it gives me ideas to consider. I sure hope we can find a moment to enjoy together some time soon, even if we have to plan it. Have a GREAT time with boo and Neil and a wonderful birthday celebration. Aloha and Love, Lorrie.