T'Shuvah

We enter now - in my Jewish religion - to the holiest of holy days.
A day of atonement. A day of somber reflection....of fasting....of repentance..
A day of re-turning and re-assessing. And a day to re-new.

A moment's pause - this early morning - to consider.
To think. To feel in my body what I know so well in my  head.

How many times - I wondered - have I stood here? In this exact spot?
Witnessing?
The early morning. The sun. The river that runs thru.

This year - this 're-turning' - has taken on a grander seat. A one that sits heavy with meaning. 
I return to familiar places with new intentions.
I return to that home that's always been...the one that resides within.

Here. There. Anywhere I go...I am. 

I return. And begin. And begin. And return. And return and begin again.
The cycle and circle is never-ending.

On this morning - I begin with the ponds and rivers and birds and geese.
I begin with the mist and the light and the gift of capturing the freedom of flight.

This evening - I end in the mountains. The earth. The ground. The center. Where my heart beats.

And - I chant and I pray. And - I join hands and hearts.
In gratitude.
For all of life's unexpected surprises.
And - especially for t'shuvah. This holy day's gift of returning.