Thank goodness the winter solstice is upon us. Today, there will be the fewest hours of daylight in 2020. With the year as it has unfolded, I’ll gladly turn in a few minutes earlier tonight to enjoy this, the shortest day of this annus horribilis. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, if you go outside at noon today and observe your shadow, you’ll l see that it’s the longest one you’ll cast all year. This year has cast shadows on all our lives in one way or another. A collective sigh of relief and prayers of hope from the world will be heard at midnight on New Year’s Eve 2020, because 2021 must be better than the year we are finishing.
As a gardener, I’ll be delighted that the daylight hours will slowly be lengthening now, as we move towards the Vernal equinox on March 20, 2021, in which day and night will be of equal length. I’m looking forward to the lengthening of days in which to split and transplant my thriving Irises. Peonies, resting their eyes right now, will break through the soil in the spring. My aged roses all need proper pruning as they sleep, for the best chance at gorgeous blooms next summer. Gardening provides respite from day to day worry-demons. It has given me hours to reflect on my life as it is and the direction in which I intend to go. Today, there are 90 days to organize our sheds, sharpen our tools, condition our soils, and order new seeds and bulbs for winter planting before spring arrives. I plan to use each one to the fullest.
With Christmas Eve on Thursday, my week will be carefully choreographed to avoid emotional pitfalls. This holiday season has been a tough one in many ways. The cruel chains of Covid Quarantine have been restrictive, keeping us from visiting family and friends. So, this week, I’m making a conscious and deliberate choice as to what the days will look like. I’ll be careful to add in nourishing meals and plenty of rest, while also adding time for fun.
I’ve been enjoying daily mail call, as I’m hearing from family and friends from near and far. I’ve forgotten how wonderful it is to receive Christmas cards and the beautiful wishes inside. They’ve been more meaningful this year than ever before. Everyone in my life has gone out of their way to shower me with their prayers and best wishes. What a blessing that has been, during this the year of the unthinkable.
As I plan my week, I’m going to be very honest about my wishes. I need extra quiet time for reflection. As I find myself on the path of healing, I’ll listen carefully to those that mention how happy I look, because that is the truth of the matter. Through personal growth this year, I’m discovering happiness deep from within as I trust my faith. My grieving process may be different from others. That’s okay. There is no handbook for how one gets through this wilderness. We all need to find the unique way that works best for us as individuals. That’s helped by respect from friends and family as we make our way, sometimes in rather clumsy fashion.
Enjoy the first day of winter and this Christmas week with its magic and wonder! If you are struggling, start to list all the things you are grateful for this year. Even in a year as bad as 2020, we are all blessed. We only need to start listing the ways.