Ornamentation

Ornamentation... this is a word that has recently become more prominent in my vocabulary.It not a word I would typically use, and not for any particular reason.Like many words it has not been part of my lexicon,but it is now.

In the context in which I am using this word, ornamentation is something that one does to a phrase of music. It is probably easiest to explain it as a trill. But in the lexicon of the chant it is know as a melissma. Ornamentation can mean many things: adornment, beautification, enhancement.

This weekend I have been working on my field study project paper and describing the ornaments that adorn Torah scrolls as they rest in the ark in the synagogue. I wrote about the silver crowns that covere the handles of the Torah scrolls and the beautiful deep blue velvet covers and silver breast plates that befit these sacred texts. In both cases the word denotes beauty, making something sound or look more beautiful than it would otherwise.

As I was returning from the library today, walking along my favorite river path, a question was posed to me, meaning it popped into my mind. How do you ornament your life? It made me pause and begin to think. The more obvious answer might be to gather beautiful things around you, wear lovely clothes or jewelry. But of course this is ornamenting your person and your environment. This is not what this question was getting at.

I walked on asking the question of myself, thimnking that there is a much deeper meaning, and in a very short time the answer emerged. How do I ornament or adorn my life? With love. My loved ones are the ornamentation. They are the ones that give my life its meaning and joy. Many other things can enhance one's life. Music can enhance your life and bring you joy. All the creative arts,scholarly endeavors,many other things can bring great meaning to your life. But those who are deeply a part of your life, those you love and who return your love, your family and friends, give it its sparkle. In fact they are the sparkle, like stars of the Universe very close at hand.

We should all cherish those we love, but also cherish our ability to love. The more deeply we can love, the more open our hearts, the more joyous our lives. My life is beautifully ornamented and I am grateful.

Ornamentation now has a deeper meaning for me and it is something I will continue to think about and define for myself. Please share with me your thoughts on the subject.