dark days of december

Opressive, this darkness. 

The sky has been concrete gray for days.  Rain constantly.

The holiday season seems distorted, surreal. 

Plans changed.  Traditions upended.  Things are sorting out slightly less than festive, I'm afraid. 

I'm emerging from a sinus sickness that started two weeks ago. 

I haven't purchased a single present.  I haven't hung a single ornament.

The last light is fading.  The longest night of the year is almost at hand.

And this is why we celebrate--beyond tinsel and trees, more primal than mangers and madonnas. 

We light lights, burn candles, set our hearths blazing to call back the sun.  To lengthen the days.  To lift our spirits to the growing light.  To remember that after the night comes the dawn.  Faithfully.

In a December as dark as this, it's more important than ever to keep a light burning.

Shine on.

Passion, beauty, and love, folks--24 hours at time...