How To Atone In Style

The green dress from "Atonement" seemed wrong for temple

The road to atonement is filled with a few fashion potholes, and you can quote me on that.  The SJG likes to look nice at temple.  I'm fascinated by the style choices of my fellow congregants.  Not that I judge, but I don't wish to be singled out by the Big Gal for "what were you thinking?" I want to make it into the Book of Life, not the Book of Fashion Missteps.  So yesterday, as I stood before my mirror, vainly admiring the pretty top I'd selected for the morning service, I glanced at the right sleeve and noticed a tiny hole. My first instinct was to ignore it.  Would anyone but the SJG detect this flaw in the fabric?  They'd need really great vision to see it.  I decided the microscopic tear was an important reminder on this holiest of days.  I should accept my imperfections.  I should lighten up.  I felt strongly about this for exactly two seconds.  Off came the top, and a layer of carefully-applied makeup with it.  I know myself so well.  I'd be distracted by the hole.  I'd sit there and obsess on the hole instead of focusing on a litany of other issues worthy of atonement. But changing tops presented more challenges.  I started flinging blouses off hangers.  Will this work?  What about this?  How dumb will this one look?  Should I wear that dress instead?  I was exhausted, and I hadn't even left the house.  Finally, I yanked a shade of gray that brings out the angst in my eyes, and put it on.  It looked okay with the black skirt, but not great.  I belted it.  Better.  Then I searched for a scarf.  I knew exactly the one that would look fetching and "dress" up this boring ensemble.  But I couldn't find it.  So I gave up.  A final glance in the mirror.  "Understated.  Maybe a little safe," I said.  It wasn't till I parked and stepped into the sunlight that I noticed the tiny olive oil stain on the left sleeve.  Atonement is hard.