‘After the chagim’

After the chagim, the weather is suddenly chillier, boot and sweater season has arrived.
After the chagim, the sun sets earlier, the days are shorter and darker.
And after the chagim, the first rains fall, reminding us that God has heard our prayers.

After the chagim, we return to the routine of our lives, day in, day out.
After the chagim, we begin to take care of everything we put off until “after the chagim.”
And after the chagim, we remember how good it can feel to be productive.

After the chagim, the Yamim Noraim tefillot continues to echo in our ears and in our hearts,
After the chagim, a shiny piece of a succah decoration still shimmers in the sunlight.
And after the chagim, the gift of Shabbat resonates deeply following six days of hard work.

After the chagim, we miss the family and friends we spent time with and we cherish.
After the chagim, we think about how quickly time is flying by and passing.
And after the chagim, we contemplate where we want to go from here.

After the chagim, the hype is over and the adrenaline has run out.
After the chagim, the running around, shopping and cooking is behind us.
And after the chagim, the other priorities and passions in our life thankfully resurface.

After the chagim, we enjoy the more balanced pace and flow of our schedules.
After the chagim, we focus on the little pleasures that make all the difference.
And after the chagim, we can celebrate the ups and downs of life itself.

Choref tov!