Day of Reprieve

Growing up, Lent in my house was serious stuff, and included bread and water on Fridays (but it was delicious, home-baked bread), lots of meat-free days, fish loaves (not like the loaves and the fishes, but a loaf of fish ) and no tv.  Which I never remember agreeing to but was somehow implemented anyway.  So my resolve on that one was minimal.  There was also a meal on fine china with lamb and mint jelly.  I think this is what Jesus had at the last supper, and so we had it too.  I don't know why he had mint jelly but I wish he'd picked something else.  Like, baked potatoes with sour cream and chives. 


I have a friend who, when we compared religious traditions of our childhood days, was like, "Lent is awesome.  I'm going to do Lent."  And she made this huge chart of 40 days, on poster board, and listed what she was giving up, and what she was going to do.  And she asked me to participate, and I didn't want to because her chart was pretty intimidating.  So she did her own Lent thing, and she's Jewish, and she had a more successful Lent than I ever did.  When I told her about Sunday being the Day of Reprieve, also, about St. Patrick's Day being a day off, I think the edited version of her response is that that was for weenies.


I've been thinking about this Day of Reprieve, and currently, I think this:  it's not for weenies, but it's not helpful either.  It's nice to know it's available.  But in creating any new habit, or dropping any old unwanted habit, at least 21 days straight are required.  And a day of reprieve would interfere with ever getting to 21 days straight.  So.  I'm not taking the Day of Reprieve.  Starting next Sunday.  It's too late today. 


Also, I seem to have birthed a Lenten enthusiast.
My kid, two days into the 40, said, "I really like Lent."
I asked her why, and she said, "I like giving up things.  And getting to do new things."
Whatever. 


I am not giving anything up, but I am creating a new habit and so far, I am winning.  If my friend is doing the Lent chart this year, I would sign up, even if it's on poster board and publicly tracked.  That's how kickin' this Lent is going to be. 
Bring on the salmon loaf.