Lent

This year, the first in many, I didn't do anything to mark Lent. I didn't give up; I didn't take on. The season, somehow, just passed me by.

And as Easter arrives, I realize how sad I am that I let this happen. In years passed, I've given up computers after 8 PM, sweets, drinks. I've taken on more regular church attendance and more thoughtful prayer. This year, I let the craziness of life - an expression that I both detest and feel - sweep me up and get me through. Lent is a period of the year that I love, a season I look forward to in the depths of winter. And I'm sorry to have missed out on its thought-provoking, sacrificial experience.

The Times had two very engaging pieces on Lent, one here by Judith Warner and one here by James Carroll. Also, Brian Lehrer had a call-in on NPR asking Jews to answer, "What's the fifth Passover question for 2009?" and Christians, "What did you give up for Lent?" An interesting assortment of answers are listed here.