Today is the second day of the New Year. Not as much fanfare perhaps. Usually there are fewer people who show up. But the rabbis have a tradition of still saying Shehechianu on something new. This makes the day special. Some say Shehechianu on a new fruit of the season. Some specifically use a pomegranate for that purpose. I always look for one that has a perfect crown. Those are not so easy to find. Some eat a fruit or some other food they have never, ever tasted and scour the marketplace looking for something special. Some buy a new piece of clothing to wear.
After my serious car accident in 2007, we finally went mountain climbing again in the late summer of 2008. I wasn’t sure I could do it. I took one of Sarah’s best friends, a high school classmate. This friend had made sure that when I wanted to quit on a previous hiking trip, when I sat down and said I couldn’t go any further, finished the hike and then came back to get me. “The views are amazing. You have to finish. You can’t miss the views.” Together, the two of us we finished that hike. I have never forgotten that kindness or that friendship.
I went into this hike with a little more trepidation and fear. How far could I get? What about my sense of balance? What if I have to quit; will it be embarrassing? We made it up to the top of the mountain. All four of us. We enjoyed the views and a snack. Then we headed down. It started to rain. We picked up our pace. That was hard. I find going down always harder than going up. We made the bottom just as the first thunder started. I paused to say Shehechianu. My daughter said, “Mom, I think you should say Shehechianu every day. You are still here.” That’s what Shehechianu says, Praised are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe who has kept us alive and sustained us and enabled us to reach this time.”
A long time ago, we went to our friends, Nancy and Alyn, to announce our engagement. We were not quite sure how they would respond. Nancy was digging in her garden. She stood up, gave us both hugs and kisses and commanded Alyn, “Alyn go get the champagne.” I learned from that, and I tell every wedding couple this, to always have a bottle of champagne on ice, to celebrate the big moments, like an engagement or a new job, a raise, a promotion, or the little moments, day by day by day. Like Shehechianu, Sarah thinks after my car crash I might be entitled to champagne every day.
We have a prayer we use every day when we first wake up. A personal kind of Shehechianu. Modah/Modeh Ani Lefanecha, Melech Chai V’kayam. I give thanks before You, Ruler and Sustainer of Life.
How will you say Shehechianu today? What new thing will you do?