Suddenly, the lights are appearing again. The roof structure outlined, the tree branching lit up, the dripping cascades of light dancing in the breezes.
This season of lights has just begun. I find the job entirely too laborious, and therefore have great admiration for those who have the patience to make the installations. How do they do it? I have tried and only end up with a mass of kink which I then lob at the structure and tell myself that it is art. I do put lights on the indoor Christmas tree, but as the years speed by, the tree becomes smaller and smaller. This requires less winding around and under, and a lot less cursing. Perhaps I will hire one of our local artisans who obviously can trim beautiful and fully recognized structures with lights. Then I could fill a big tree with all of my favored ornaments.
If you stay quiet and reflect upon the nature of what we are doing this season, it becomes clear that we are making light to fill the darkness. The sun is way far south, but will be returning to our hemisphere later this month. Meanwhile, we have created rituals to light our paths during this darkness. We need to have the darkness filled with music, and that has been done with the special tunes, hymns and other "traditional" music within the world religions and folk cultures. We need to have the darkness filled with stories that reflect the mysteries of darkness but also lead us towards hope. I think that you will find within all cultures and religions these special stories of this season.
So often we get so lost with other requirements, be they family, community-driven, religious or just the subconscious feeling of an ending to the calendar year without the feeling of fulfillment. Pause, acknowledge, and find the camaraderie of your special compatriots. Remember that the chill in the air will eventually be softened with the return of the sun.
Freelance writer Madeleine Wilde is a Queen Anne resident.
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