Actually, until now I’d never made the connection between Elul and Lent. So you’re trying to do the equivalent of Mardi Gras?
Chas veSholom! Nothing could be further removed from the truth.
Ellul:- Serious-Absolutely! Sad-Absolutely not! We are reading the very last Parshiyos of the Toroh:- Sefer Devorim eagerly heading me’Eivel leSimcho from Devorim on Chazzon to veZos haberocho on Simchas Toroh.
It is so wonderful anticipating a month long of Chaggim & intense closeness to haShem. As children the excitement of the approaching Chaggim was incredible; All this with no worries about cleaning out Chometz. & the days are getting shorter, so Motzei Shabbos will once again be at decent hours.
When my kids were very little I made a special point of bringing them to Shul in Ellul to hear Tekias Shofor daily. Needless to say, I blow Tekias Shofor for my wife everyday before I head out to work.