Tomorrow is the winter solstice. When we lived in Boston, I struggled a lot with this time of year since it got dark so early. This year, I also am noticing my mood dipping a bit although whether that's in response to the shorter days or feeling a bit of holiday blues being away from extended family is hard to say. I feel so lucky our family has so far been healthy, and I know so many other families haven't been so fortunate. Still, it feels isolating to be far from extended family right now, and I know a lot of people are feeling similarly and trying to craft new meaning and structure to this holiday season.
I find it so hopeful that starting on Tuesday, each day will get slightly longer. This year I've been so drawn to holidays and traditions that center around candles and light. We always celebrate Hanukkah, and I love the flickering lights on the menorah and prayers that have a special tune, even if I don't understand Hebrew. I love that this year Avi was captivated by the lights and went still as we began the prayers, which was a pretty dramatic shift from her normal end of day, food-throwing, last burst of energy self. It felt like a small infusion of the sacred into the mundane.
I also bought these beautiful advent candles this year, and have been lighting them each Sunday of advent and using the time to think and pray and rest and hope. It helps to see the light of the candle, and feel hopeful that longer days will return and the pandemic will end. Other things that are helping are exercise, making a list of fun adventures that we can do, and talking with friends or seeing them outdoors.
And as much as this year has been a challenge, there are still so many reasons to hope. What a miracle it is to have a vaccine, and to see it spreading to local hospitals. Seeing friends in the park today and doing a secret Santa exchange was a much needed bit of connection and joy and a new tradition. I get to spend the holiday with my little family and take it at a slower speed than we normally would.
Here's to longer (and brighter) days ahead. Wishing you and your family very happy holidays!
I think I am in the major minority in that I actually do NOT mind the dark evenings in the winter! I actually get a tiny bit bummed when the days start getting longer again. It's not that I want it to get dark at 4:30 all year, of course, but I feel like the short days period goes by relatively quickly. I know many people struggle with this time and the darkness. But I just love the cozy feeling of fireplaces, dim lights, etc. and that "snuggled in" feeling in the evenings when it's dark earlier. I'm probably crazy! My husband complained recently how much he hates driving home from work in the dark. I get that. Maybe it helps that I work from home, so I generally have the chance to either be outside or at least SEE outside during the day pretty easily.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having Advent candles in your home. I've never done that! This makes me want to get some for next year and light them each Sunday. That sounds lovely.