Durga Asthmi and Worshipping the Nine Devis

Today my family and I were supposed to lead the puja in the mandir. For the past five years or so, we have always been the ones who sit and do the offerings on the eighth night of the Navraatri. as fate would have it, i was the only one from my family who could make it there in time for the beginning so i represented them. I don't know what special deed i did but of all the people there, i was told to do the puja. I was a privelege and i am happy that i was able to do it.
so we did the offerings...all the various rituals, the havan, the lingam puja, the offering of the dhar for the goddess and then we worshipped nine little girls who represent the nine forms that the goddess took during the nine days and a little boy who represents Lord Shiva. these little girls were so cute! i washed their feet with milk and then water, then dried them...i did aarti for them, i fed them, then gave them money and presents and i took their blessings. i remember when i was little and i used to sit for this puja how much fun it was for me. back then, the presents were the coolest part of the whole thing! today, i understand the symbolism behind the ritual and... it is a beautiful ritual. maybe because i love this time so much and i believe that the blessings that one obtains from Lord Shiva only come into effect fully when Durga puja is done. there's a few verses from the Durga chalisa that say:

SHANKARA ACHARAJ TAP ATI KEENHO
KAM KRODH JEET SAB LEENHO
Shankaracharya had performed once a special penance called Aacharaj and by virtue of which he had subdued his anger and desire
NISHIDIN DHYAN DHARO SHANKAR KO
KAHOU KAL NAHIN SOUMIRO TOUMKO
He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment concentrated his mind on You
SHAKTI ROOP KO MARAM NA PAYO
SHAKTI GAYI TAB MAN PACHITAYO
Since He did not realize your immense glory, all His powers waned and then He repented hitherto
SHARNAGAT HOUYI KIRTI BAKHANI
JAI JAI JAI JAGADAMBA BHAVANI
Then He sought refuge in You, chanted Your glory and 'victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani'

It's like having a lightbulb and needing the electricity to produce light. one cannot exist without the other...so the blessings i have from my fast from Shivraatri will come into play when this Navraatri fast is over. I love hinduism! it allows me to choose my path and adhere to it.