“It” was a week away. Ellie and I got to spend too little time with each of our Massachusetts families (delightful), and we played tourist in Boston for a couple of days (recommended). And it goes so fast, yes, it does!

The too many months between the last pre-COVID visit with the grandkids (and their parents) and now being able to squeeze, kiss, etc., had seemed like an eternity. Then it was just a flash! We reveled in the myriad small and not so small ways those young ‘uns had changed. They’d certainly grown some; the group morning snuggle in bed nearly ended with me on the floor!

While away, I’d made a few work calls, responded to some emails, finished a flyer (or something). Even so, being away lulled me into a relaxed state in which I was able to enjoy the family, appreciate the sights and sounds of a place I don’t live in, and revel in having virtually no schedule for much of anything. Thus we acquired vacation aura.

(It used to be that, as we returned to our former Ardmore home from being away, even if only for a couple of days, I would have a moment as we approached the corner of our street: is the house still there? It always was. The slightly later moment was…What, the bills weren’t paid while we were gone? The shirts not ironed, the lawn not mowed?)

Vacation aura dissipates so quickly, fading even as we were still several hours from Ventnor. Replacing it was a growing anticipation of Shirat Hayam’s imminent annual meeting, catching up on birthday calls, wading through the to-do piles on my desk, pulling together divrei Torah, writing a benediction, composing some music…doing things I love about being a rabbi.

That aura, the aura of community, doesn’t go so fast, and I’m grateful for that. Yes, I’ll look forward to other times away, including a month-long sabbatical this winter, and they will seem to have gone by quickly. Still, I am sure that I will welcome the transition from the aura of vacation to those of home and community.

Shabbat shalom !שבת שלום