Thoughts During the Omer of My Dog and My Subaru

This past week I went up to Nashville, Tennessee (yes in the south that is “up”) to the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) National Conference. I generally stay through Shabbos. There is a cool Shabbos group and they provide meals and such. But this year, the company I work for put the “goy crew” in our booth, so I was let off. I still wanted to peruse the show for items that might be of benefit to the company, so I just went up for one evening. It’s about a 4-hour drive. As I was leaving it hit me that I could not listen to music as it’s during the Omer (no music, no weddings no haircuts). It's a time of spiritual reflection and growth. Didn't we just do that?

Anyway, this lack of music forced me to listen to some Torah lectures (for 8 hours).  On the way up I listened to a rabbi explain the end of times. Not a great subject if you want to feel good. I wasn’t sure whether it was his subject or the life-threating thunderstorm that had me on edge through the trip.

On the way back I listened to a discussion on dating. The speaker suggested that conflict in dating is a good thing, as how it is handled can give a lot of insight into emotional compatibility. Hmmm. Just as I was pondering this idea and wondering how to relay it to my experimental child (the oldest), I came around a corner going 75 mph and noticed a stray lab mix type dog trying to cross the highway. My heart jumped and I thought of pulling over, but there were two 18-wheelers and I could not get over to the side. The next exit wasn’t for a few miles and I was afraid that by the time I exited, went back and re entered the highway, it would be too late. Plus, the whole 2^nd dog thing was not going to go over well with hubby. 

But, for some reason I could not get my mind off the dog. I envision him sitting in the car with me the rest of the trip, giving him a bath, giving him a new home and by the end of the trip I had named him “Chattanooga” (that’s where I saw him) and asked G-d to keep him safe. Just as I was forgiving myself for not stopping to pick up a stray dog, my husband called and said he thought it was time we sold our two old vans and got a newer one. I excitedly said that maybe I could get that Subaru Outback or Forester I’d always wanted. His normal response was “Ilana, why do you want a Subaru? 1) They are expensive and 2) You are not going "off road." 

 I actually think we ARE quite a bit “off” road, but that’s another subject.

I’m not sure why I like the Subaru. No good reason. It fits in with my hiking boots and trips to REI, though I'm not technically a "hiker."  I suppose I’m still a “van mom,” at least for a while. So, I guess my dreams of  Chattanooga and I driving across country (off road) in a Subaru Outback are not happening.  Instead it will be me and my miniature dachshund in a van going to do carpool. I’m quite at peace with it all. All this Torah learning and spiritual growth hasn’t changed my nature, but it has helped me prioritize.

Anyway, I finished listing to the dating advice. I immediately called my son and told him he may want to pick a conflict and discuss it with his date and he immediately said, “Why would I do that?”  "Maybe because you may want a Subaru and she may want an 18-passenger van?" "Uh, Mom?" "Yes?" "I gotta go catch the train, now." 

Well, just 37 more days of the Omer. Then the music will return. And, most importantly, the Torah will be received.

Chattanooga, I hope you found a nice home.

And your owner has a Subaru.