These bruises

re·flec·tion

noun \ri-ˈflek-shən\

an image that is seen in a mirror or on a shiny surface
something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else

something that causes people to disapprove of a person or thing

mental concentration; careful consideration.

thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.

Over the past few weeks we have been celebrating the Jewish New Year and then Yom Kippur – the day of Atonment. For Rosh Hashana we are eating apples and honey, honey cake, raisin challah and all things that are delicious and sweet to celebrate the new year. Then a short week later, we are fasting and asking for forgiveness for our sins that we have committed over the past year and allowing us to be sealed in the book of life for the coming year.

It is a time for reflection. How we look at ourselves, at others and maybe what we would have done differently if we could have. Maybe there was someone I should have called before Yom Kippur and asked for forgiveness and made mends. Or maybe there was someone you were waiting for the call from, and you didn’t get it.

Several months ago I was watching the show The Talk while they were on location in New Orleans. I taped the episodes, because I loved New Orleans, but also because the house band for the week was Train. Pat Monahan sang a song acoustically that really moved me. The song is called Bruises. The radio/album version features an artist named Ashley Monroe and it is just one of those songs that has hidden meaning, at least to me.

The chorus is about “these bruises” which are really (from my interpretation) our lives. That everything that happens to us has an everlasting effect on our lives, whether we can see them (bruises) or not. Time and space doesn’t take away the bruises.

“These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It’s good to let you in again
You’re not alone in how you’ve been
Everybody loses, we all got bruises
We all got bruises”

This past weekend I had the chance to spend the afternoon with an old friend. And when I say old friend, I really do mean that in the truest sense of the word – we know each other almost 35 years. We don’t get the chance to spend as much time as we would like (who does?) but when we do, we make it count. Our lives are very different and we have travelled down many different paths, and have our own ‘bruises’ to show for our lives, but when we are together, it is fun, happy, enjoyable. Her outlook on life is something more people need to have in their own. I guess I am telling this story because how everyone handles their “bruises” makes you who you are and how you are around others.

So, there is always more to say, but I think I will end with the video of the song. Not all the words will apply to everyone, but if you listen to the words, maybe you will hear the message I heard and take it for that.

Have a great day everyone,