turn and return

12.21.2020



Happy Winter Solstice!  We begin our journey back to the light.  I am still reveling in the darkness - the dark months are my favorite of the year - but I am always ready to welcome the light and life back as it slowly returns.  This morning I went on a long walk, eager to breathe in this magical day, but also keeping my eye out for something that would speak to me about the day.  It wasn't until I got back home and went into our backyard that I saw it.  One of the huge camellia bushes had a single bloom in the palest of pinks.  That's when I noticed that the entire bush is loaded with buds, all looking like they are about to open.  What a beautiful reminder of the cycle of life and the turning of the wheel.  Tonight we will have a fire and raise a glass to winter and the return of light.  

This last Friday my beloved Dad had a heart valve replacement.  It had been planned for a couple of months after having some mini heart attacks, and all those weeks seemed like an eternity.  I'm so glad it is behind him now and that he is back home and doing well.  

We've been trying to get out for walks outside our neighborhood.  These pictures are from Minto Brown here in Salem last Tuesday, and a park in Albany we went to Saturday.  We took a trail at Minto Brown I hadn't been on before and ended up at the walking bridge downtown as it started to get dark.  Such a magical time of day.  The park in Albany had a bit of sad feel.  The trails were really muddy and there was a lot of garbage around.  But, there were also gorgeous lichen and ducks and nettle and moss, and, charmingly, little blue Christmas ornaments hanging from tree branches here and there.  

For now, I just want to say I hope you are enjoying, as much as is possible right now, these last few days before Christmas.  I know that it can be a sad and stressful time of year, this year even more so since so many have lost loved ones or are not able to get together with loved ones.  I'm sending you love through the darkness and reminding you, and me, that life grows from dark places.  

by mlekoshi