It’s been a busy few weeks for those caught up in the business of inspiration, reflection and general navel gazing:
We gave thanks at Thanksgiving.
There followed Hanukkah and the Pearl Harbor Remembrance.
We attended a wedding two weeks ago. My birthday was a few days later.
Our friends in Turkey are celebrating Kurban Bayrami this week (“Eid” for the rest of the Middle East) as they observe the end of Ramadan.
Christmas and New Year’s Day are just around the corner.
Kwanzaa, the pan-African celebration falls in the middle.
Lord (so to speak). How much religious, civic, cultural and personal contemplation can one take in a short period? Wait…. There’s more!
Today is the winter solstice – a celestial celebration marking the passing of autumn and our arrival in Deepest Winter. This is shortest day of the year. In theory a general gloom has descended across the land. Scientists refer to wide spread seasonal affective disorder or SAD where people withdraw into a deep social hole.
Perhaps I should be writing this from northern Alaska? Or better yet on a remote and misty moor in Scotland watching old Macbeth deal with his ugly witches (you do remember this scene, dear Reader?). It’s one of my favorites:
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,--
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire, burn; and caldron, bubble.
Cover your heads and hide.
But hold on, dear Reader. The check, please. The reality check. I’m in Florida and the sun is shinning. It’s a near perfect day.
The weather guy on TV made a point of saying twice that there will be a full moon soon – on Christmas Eve no less – a positive omen if there was one.
We have turned the corner on the calendar and light, spring, warmth and hope are ahead.
Ah. One minor problem. I haven’t done any holiday shopping yet. The dreaded mall calls. The crowds, the choices, the frenzy!
Now there’s a blow for optimism.
