This past Yom Kippur, I found myself, at one point looking out at the congregation from the choir, and my eyes landed on a young girl with her parents, maybe 7 or 8, and she had her head down, occupied with something. She was beautiful, which is so not the point, or…maybe it is. What struck me most was that her hair was hella messy, like she just woke up and could not be bothered to deal with it. It did not make her less beautiful in the least, mostly cause she could Not. Care. Less. And I suddenly had this clear memory of me, 12 or 13, in the back of the synagogue on Saturday mornings, head down, sporting a ponytail that hadn’t seen a brush or comb since Gd wore diapers. I’m pretty sure I hated every second of those services, (a whole ‘nother story), I know I didn’t feel pretty. And I cared. A lot. It has taken me decades to figure out 1) I am infinitely more wonderful then I ever believed, especially at 13, 2) I am surprised every day by how wonderful I actually am, and 3) I am very much like a dolphin. Fact. Dolphins have two stomachs. I have two asses. They sleep with half a brain, and one eye open. I sleep with half a brain and one eye open. Dolphins are not fish. I am not a fish. Dolphins are very chatty. I never shut up. Dolphins don’t chew their food. Well, you see where I’m going with this? No. I’m asking. Where the hell am I going with this? Oh, right!

The Dolphin pendant I’ve been wearing. Shameless self-promotion. The blog writes itself, folks. Anyhoo, where was I? Wonderful, wonderful, Dolphins. The point is, if there is one, and really, that is a big if…, that I have found myself in a state of appreciation for all of the things that are mine. Creativity. Empathy. Commitment. Talents. Chins. Asses. Stomachs. Hair that still rarely sees a comb or a brush. And that little girl with her hella messy hair? She ran up to the bima for the children’s blessing, smiling, her step light, already aware of how wonderful she is.