Giving Up

Lent begins tomorrow. When I was a little girl I would give up my penny candy. As a young woman I would give up chocolate. In those days I didn`t know about being able to break Lent on Sundays. Every Sunday being a little Easter. Last year I gave up facebook for Lent. And penny candy (which costs way more than a penny all these years later).

This year, along with facebook and penny candy I will also give up my daily crossword. This past weekend we went camping for two days and my husband commented how much he enjoyed morning coffee with me because I wasn`t solving my daily puzzle, but giving him my full attention. It made me think.

Why do I observe Lent? I don`t attend church every Sunday, but when I do attend it is always a deeply moving and spiritual experience. Always.

This past year, in my life, I have two people close to me who are undergoing chemo-therapy. For one it is a 48 week treatment. For the other it is a life long treatment. One day, I too may undergo some form of chemo-therapy. (Although I dare to use the word remission these days).

So in the next six weeks when I reach for the crossword, and then turn the page and put down my pen, or when I have a little craving for my beloved swedish fish that I will ignore, or when I think about logging onto facebook to see what my daughter et al are up to, and pick up the phone instead, I will remember.

I will remember that the central figure of my faith struggled and was lost in the wilderness for 40 days. That he doubted. That he was tempted. That he got mad. Really, really mad.

I will remember those two men in my life that are willing their bodies to win over the invisible foe.

I will remember that I am so very lucky, and really, in my life, I have suffered very little.

I will spend more focused time having coffee in the morning with my life partner.

I will pick up the phone, or write a letter.

I will pray.

As a friend said, for her, Lent is not about giving up, but about taking on.

I will take on looking forward with hope - to Easter and to Spring.