Lent 2009

Lent is upon us. It happens every year, right after Shrove Tuesday, starting on Ash Wednesday, as a pre-cursor to Easter.

Quote "a period of 40 days that Christians observe before Easter. During Lent, Christians imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days before his trial and crucifixion. It is a time of soul-searching, fasting and repentance. It is a time when Christians pause and refresh their souls."

As a youngster in a Catholic school, this meant that we observed Lent, and went to church for Ash Wednesday (and were so proud of the Ash imprint on our foreheads)a regular part of going to a Catholic school. We had been blessed.

As an adult, these teachings harbored a place in my being, and Observing Lent has always been something that I did....that is to say that I gave up some vice.

But, since I do not have a lot of vices, it becomes more difficult each year to find something to give up. One year it was chocolate (THAT nearly drove me crazy!). One year it was peanut butter (also nearly drove me insane). This year it is coffee and french fries. Not too bad, right?

I need to clarify. I am not a big coffee drinker, in fact I have one tea in the morning, and I used to have an instant cappuccino coffee in the afternoon (you know the one...the little packets to which you add boiling water). Not a biggy, but by 3PM, I usually look forward to that hot capp.

The french fries are maybe a weekly treat that I enjoy with my Happy Meal....*sniff*...now those I will miss, for the time being anyway.

Now, in retrospect, giving up these little things is really just that....little. Some people have nothing, and can hardly afford any luxuries or extra amenities.

My sacrifice is small in comparison.