Today marks the Winter Solstice, and from this day forward the days get longer and lighter until summer arrives. While the first day of winter may not feel like cause for celebration, that fact alone makes this day one of hope and majesty. It begins here – and if winter never started it would never finish.

Last winter passed in peaceful form thanks to a newly-found focus on hygge, and the continuing quest for meditative peace and calm. Through the process comes the result, and to trust in that journey is to be made happy in the moment – even if the moment comes on the first day of winter, with all the days yet to follow. 

There is magic to the winter as well, something I ignored and dismissed for most of my life, so chagrined with the weather and darkness that I failed to see all the lights that we make at this time of the year. Candles and lamps and fairy lights all conspire to lift the darkness, even at its heaviest and most impenetrable. The glow of a single candle is enough to fell a roomful of shadow. And when taken outside into a night filled with snow, it can feel like one is carrying a small sun in their hand. 

On this day, we make our winter wishes – writing them down and signaling to the universe our intents and hopes, before burning them and letting them drift into the sky to be carried off to where they might begin their work. It is our seasonal tradition, one taught to me by Andy when we first met, and the winter wishes were always some of the most important ones made. Especially this year, when we need all the help we can get. 

The shortest day of light is here, and moving forward each day from this point the light will last a little longer. Winter has just begun, but this is a journey that has been in motion since the arrival of fall. Rounding that corner brings us further along than we realize, and seasons move so quickly these days it’s only a matter of moments before talk of spring is in the air. 

If everyone had just worn their masks and gotten vaccinated when it mattered, we wouldn’t be where we are today, so to anyone who hesitated and who still refuses to get a vaccine or wear a mask, I have a simple message and request: fuck off. Just fuck all the way off. The rest of us are sick of you for being so selfish and stupid. 

I was in Wal-Mart the other day looking for Tang (and Wal-Mart is the only place that carries it, not any Price Chopper or Market 32 or whatever you’re calling yourselves these days) when I watched a young woman hurriedly grab two masks from the supply at the front door. She put one on herself, then brought one to her husband or boyfriend, who said he was not putting that thing on. Their child, clearly under five years old, sat in the shopping cart watching their exchange. I walked away at his second refusal before I was tempted to say what I thought out loud. 

In Starbucks, I watched as a group of three girls ranging from twelve to seventeen approach the cashier without a single mask among the three of them. Their Dad followed a few minutes later, also without a mask. 

At a time of the year when we are supposed to be looking out for each other more than usual, I just feel utterly let down and disappointed in people. 

On the other hand, the vast majority of those actually dying of COVID are the unvaccinated assholes who refuse to get the vaccine (and no doubt who also refuse to wear a mask). Maybe the universe is weeding them out in some massive exhibition of karmic retribution. Survival of the smartest, the sanest, and the most compassionate. 

{Shrugs.}

This is the week Christmas arrives, ready or not, and it’s tainted with the worries that the current condition of the world brings. I realize I can’t keep stressing out over things beyond my control, but that doesn’t mitigate the worry much. Perhaps that’s one of the tenets of adulthood, and why I’ve so vociferously avoided it for as long as possible. Let’s have a look back at those holiday moments where we trie to find some joy and peace.

The musical woman of the year celebrated her special day – Happy Birthday Taylor Swift!

Crafting a bit of Christmas calm through the use of candles (carefully). 

Sometimes snow calls for jazz. 

A mysterious holiday tea recipe revealed again. 

Holiday cocktails & mocktails. 

Channeling Christmas calm. 

With a hush and a wink, I sang my little heart out. 

When Andy’s favorite holiday movies became mine. 

For the love of Andy’s meatballs. 

This years holiday stroll was actually postponed, so this revisiting of previous strolls will have to suffice. 

Justifying my love for Madonna amid all the hateful bashing. 

An old-fashioned Christmas mix tape, like we used to do. 

Piano tinkling for a Christmas quandary. 

The unconventional Christmas song. 

Dazzlers of the Day included Jake Wesley Rogers and Colin Donnell. 

Unlike a hurricane, there is no calm center to the holiday maelstrom of mayhem that will only build and build until the explosive climax of Christmas comes in less than ten days. With that in mind, this morning begins with the soft light of a candle, and the quiet melody of seasonal songs given a delicate piano make-over. 

Next week marks the winter solstice – as far from summer as we can get on the calendar, and as far from light. Dipping into the shortest days of the year is often trying, but soon the daylight will elongate, adding seconds of sun into each day, slowly building and brightening. I hold that thought and the hope that comes with it. 

To alleviate the darkness, we will have Christmas, and candlelight, and the calm that can be conjured when we are reminded of the stillness that is always there, apparent only when we sit quietly with ourselves and our thoughts.