My creation
Originally uploaded by ellenjohnrubicon.
For the past three or four years we've shifted the focus of our holiday celebrating to the Winter Solstice. Despite our non-religious beliefs, we want the girls to know the fun, the magic, and the anticipation that builds with the holiday season. In these days of far too little sunlight, we all need something to celebrate and look forward to. As the girls get bigger, it gets more authentic- more us. It's less like we're putting on a show, and more like we have participants in our party.
I've noticed that many folks celebrate the longest night of the year- Solstice Eve, with a candlelit dinner. We do it on the Solstice itself, though next year I could see the symbolism in that last darkest night- maybe we'll change it up. But there is also fun in celebrating the fact that there is more sun, that we've turned the corner toward spring. We had just finished eating tonight when our friend Bill came by with a huge box of clementines- sun fruits! Perfection, I must say.
The girls have been counting down since early December. The excitement truly started to build last week, once the dental hijinks and my final papers were behind us. We made lanterns at a local Audubon Sanctuary and took a magical walk through the woods, hooting like owls, catching glimpses of the other groups lanterns across a field- no people, just lights. The stars were perfect. It takes little more than darkness and quiet woods to make you feel centered in the universe- small as we are and big as it is.
The girls believe in Santa, and have been nursing an obsession with Rudolph recently, so we left carrots and cookies in the cockpit last night. I picked out two super special animals and the headlamps my Mom sent up. Sophie had seen someone using a headlamp the night before and said how much she wanted one. Santa left two things for each of them. That was all they needed to feel cared for. That and the gnawed-on carrots. They will remain oblivious to the disparities in Santa's gift-giving until they attend a liberal university, but keeping it sweet and simple worked this year.
The rest of the goodies were from me, John, my family, and the beneficent neighbors. Wow. The hits? The stuffed animals, as always. Sophie wore her new stopwatch all day long and timed herself doing everything- everything. Rosy was over the moon with half a dozen painting and stamping devices. Clothes- they LOVE clothes. The headlamps were awesome (thanks Mom!). Rosy's "Hurricanes and Tornadoes" book (have I mentioned that obsession?). Tiny hedgehogs. They worked hard on John's gifts- restoring his childhood teddy bear, new screwdrivers, a personalized wrench. When John asked what they should get me, Sophie relied, "A break." Ahem.
We ate Roast Beast, which John turned religiously (no pun intended) all day long. It was so so good. The sun was beaming awesome, so the boat got an air-out and the oven was our only heat source. We rode bikes, played in the dirt, walked with our lanterns, talked to friends and family, and collapsed into a satisfied heap.
Happy Solstice to all and to all a Good Night!
