Solar. Lunar. Lunisolar.  The three major calendars nowadays.  The Julian calendar (the solar calendar) is probably the one hanging on your wall.  The Moslem faith follows a lunar calendar, which is why Ramadan seems to happen in any season, since the lunar year is shorter than the solar one.  My calendar, the Hebrew calendar, is lunisolar.  That way the holiday of Spring stays in Spring; the holiday of Sukot, that harbingers the rainy season is situated properly.

All by way of introducing the fact that this past weekend was the two day new moon (Rosh Chodesh) of Elul.  This month begins the 40 day period of seeking forgiveness and  making resolutions to become even better people that culminates with Rosh Hashana (yhe New Year) and Yom Kipur (the Day of Atonement).

But, it also means something else.  The first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul is the (Hebrew) birthday of my eldest.  The second day is the anniversary  of the day (Yahrzeit) my mom died.

My daughter was due to arrive on my birthday.  (Actually, both of my daughters were due to arrive on my birthday.  Neither did, don’t worry.)  But, around 1:15 early on a Tuesday morning, my wife woke me to say she couldn’t hold it in and was wetting the bed.  I knew immediately what that meant, got up, got dressed, got her ‘go to’ bag, and drove her over to the Martha Jefferson Hospital.

But, Shosh wasn’t in a rush.  No way.  For 28 hours, she held out for the right time to arrive in this world.  She held out to be born on a minor holiday, Rosh Chodesh Elul.  And, on Rosh Chodesh, which is a special women’s holiday, our ritual calls for the additional prayers called Hallel (Praise).  One of whose songs has always resonated with her.  Which is great for her, since we sing that song about 35 times a year, and she always wants to lead it.

She also was the first grandchild.  More to the point, she met the desires of my mom, who always wanted a little girl to spoil.  (She got two, eventually.) Shosh and her sister were always special for my mom.

Nearly two decades later, my mom managed to suffer some 40 ministrokes (also causing her to break her nose and suffer black eyes) on the Wednesday before Memorial Day.  So, she wanted to demur attending my younger daughter’s bat mitzva.  But I reminded her that when Shira was born, she said she really hoped she’d be around for her bat mitzva.  She was convinced, came, and had a glorious time.

When she flew home that Monday, she went right to the hospital.  Where she resided until her death some 90 days later.   The night before she died, she asked me if I thought she would make it home.  I reminded her she wasn’t eating and she had a DNR (‘do not resuscitate’ order),  so that scenario was highly unlikely.  She said the hospital food was …. and would I please get her a corned beef sandwich.  3 hours and 82 miles later, I returned and she devoured half that sandwich.  She said she was no longer hungry.

Even at that late hour, I called my brother and told him it was time to come say goodbye to mom.   (Having my own company gave me the luxury to spend weeks on end at the hospital with my mom.  I came home twice a week to spend time with my five (including two step-) kids. )

My mom died 16 hours later, just as my brother’s plane touched down.  But my mom made it to Rosh Chodesh.  Not just any Rosh Chodesh, but the same one that commemorated my daughter’s birth…the second day, so it would be the same- but different.

Holding on for the right moment.  It’s what we did when we founded ASTRE in 1975.  It’s what we did when we founded Bicarbolyte in 1984.  It’s what we did when we put ASTRE to bed and started Adjuvancy.  Because starting at the right moment helps ensure success.

You should determine the best (business, not astrological) moment, too…

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