Back to carpool!
Do I sound too excited? The kids did go back to school this week, and it's Bella's first year in Kindergarten, so she is thrilled.
With Bay Area traffic developing more quickly than the 101 expansion (shocker), it gives one plenty of time to ponder. And this time I was thinking about my Uber driver. Last time I took an Uber, I noticed how the light-footed driver seemed to be in no rush to actually get to the destination, even leaving more than one car length in front of his Prius. Why no excessive
lane changes, gunning engines to maintain the upper realm of the speed limit, and craning necks to see why there's traffic up ahead?
And then I realized just how relaxed of a ride this was. A serene atmosphere in the midst of toxic emissions and noisy chaos. The ride itself was an experience, not just shuttling me to one. And ultimately, we reached our destination right on time, minus the stress and nerves.
As we approach the New Year, let's resolve to live in the moment. Sure there are a million and one things awaiting our attention, but when Shabbat comes and the candles are lit, the glow suspends time for serenity and peace. When your daughter "interrupts" you with a childish question, your task should fade into the background for a moment of connection. When the Shofar blasts, instead of looking at our watches, let us look into our hearts, reflect upon the many blessings we have, and pray for an even better year for ourselves and those we cherish.
Happy carpool!