At sundown today, October 16, the Jewish holiday of Sukkot begins and lasts for eight days. It’s one of those holidays that isn’t very well known in the mainstream, but I love taking its messages to heart and reflecting on them every year.
Sukkot is both a fall harvest holiday and a holiday that commemorates the time the Israelites spent wandering the desert, living in temporary, flimsy structures.
Many Jews choose to build temporary structures, called Sukkot, and some live and eat in them for all eight days of the holiday. They do this to really experience the feeling of temporariness, and to remember just how beholden we are to nature, the elements, and a higher power for our lot.
I love this.
Everything in our lives is so temporary. And, yet, we forget this so often. Sometimes, it feels things will never change and our current situations are eternal. It can feel like pain, suffering, joy, or gladness will be with us forever.
As a parent, I feel it’s so important to remind myself that it’s all temporary. My daughter cried hysterically when she ripped her toast in half and then wanted me to put it back together. It’s only temporary. My daughter will only sleep if we give her a pacifier. It’s only temporary. We are in the throes of potty training. It’s only temporary. Or so I am told. I need to believe it is only temporary.
At the same time, my daughter used to fall asleep in our arms. It was only temporary. My daughter sings sweet songs at the top of her lungs and loves dancing in circles with her mommy and daddy. It’s only temporary. My daughter’s favorite activity is reading books with her daddy. It’s only temporary. My daughter has such a sweet innocence that shelters her from so much of the pain and suffering in the world around her. It will only be temporary.
Moms, repeat after me: It’s only temporary! So many things in the early months and early years are so trying; they seem so impossible and so everlasting. For the things that are challenging or seem unbearable, take comfort in the fact that they will not last forever.
And, even more so, remember that “the days are long, but the years are short.” Enjoy those newborn cuddles, those first smiles, the puddle jumping, flower smelling, and leaf crunching. Take stock of the good, give thanks, and remind yourself that life is fluid. Make time to enjoy and savor the moment of now. It’s only temporary.
