Everything happens for a reason

I woke up his morning expecting to have a leisurely erev Rosh Hashanah (or as leisurely as any pre-holiday can be).  I didn't have to be at work, and the kids were all off from school, so it should have been the first really slow paced morning around here in weeks.

Then I checked my email.

It turns out one of my foreign clients needed a signed form from me to clear a shipment from customs (his clerk had lost the one I'd sent and hadn't saved the email.  Normally this wouldn't be so bad since I usually take copies of most of my current files home with me.  But this time I hadn't.

My office is an hour from home.  Zahava wasn't pleased.

I ran out to do some quick grocery shopping for her and then jumped into the car heading south towards Beer Sheva.

Almost immediately I picked up a car full of soldiers who had been released unexpectedly for the holiday and needed to get home to Beer Sheva, Dimona and other points south.  I don't know what they'd done to suddenly have earned a pass for the weekend, but I felt good being able to help them surprise their families.

Once I got to the office I found several other small emergencies that needed to be dealt with and was able to deal with the emails and phone calls in short order.

As I was locking up my office my cell phone rang.  It was my barber.  Apparently I had been abroad the last time I'd needed a haircut and he was calling to make sure I was OK... and to wish me a happy new year, of course. 

When I told him I was in Beer Sheva unexpectedly and that I was actually long overdue for a haircut he said, "So come on over... My son and I were just going to close the shop but I'll wait for you."  When I pulled up he was standing in the doorway and welcomed me like royalty. 

On the way home I couldn't help marvelling at my good fortune to live in a country where army commanders sometimes look for an excuse to send a few extra soldiers home for Rosh Hashanah, and where barbers call to wish their customers a happy new year and offer to keep the shop open a little late so you'll look presentable in shul.

I know there are lots of pretty greetings floating around this time of year, but I like the one Zahava made for her graphic design company (Zatar Creative). 

Here's wishing all of you a new year filled with everything you need... and most of what you want!