The Longest Night: Winter Solstice Reflections
As I look out the window of my cabin in the forest, days of torrential rains are shaking loose the last of the leaves clinging to the oak trees.
I look up at those quivering leaves and remember when they were just verdant green new buds bursting into young vibrant leaves, holding the promise of summer. That memory is activated by the trees and their cycle of life.
I have been watching this forest and her wild inhabitants for 20 years. From the new buds, to the brilliant green of young leaves darkening as spring turns to summer providing cool shade. Ever so slowly in late summer as the lighting changes, they begin their change to bring us the beauty of autumn color.
Now with this storm bridging autumn to winter on this solstice day, the remaining few leaves fall to the earth, creating a blanket for all little creatures: insects, lizards, worms, and other beings, we cannot see, burrowing in to feel protected from the upcoming frosts and cold of the winter season.
It is a gift to live in the forest and view this cycle of life, of which I am immersed, of which we are all immersed, even the city dwellers.
As my own life progresses through its seasons, the leaves in the chapter of my book of life are at the point of turning autumnal color.
There are moments of lamenting that my leaves are no longer the verdant green, holding youthful promise of the summers ahead. I am into the autumn of my life, and the only dream from childhood that has been fulfilled in all of these decades is to be living in the forest, one with nature, with my two beloved POODLES.
Yes, I did raise two daughters myself, publish two books, one an award winner, record three CDs of original music, and have many photos and paintings of original artwork all linked out to the world on my website.
None of it has rendered me rich and famous, but excessive wealth and fame were never part of my dreams.
My daughters are grown women with children of their own out in the world. Honestly, having children was never one of my dreams, but the love and connection they have brought me, and the wisdom that comes from single mothering holds immeasurable wealth for the soul.
My life is richer with them in it.
It was through having children that I discovered the choice to live a healthy lifestyle and raise them in nature. As a single mom, I developed strength and a healthy balance of the feminine and masculine energies that life calls for. Both daughters and all the grandchildren have a connection and appreciation of nature and wildlife. And that is the greatest gift I could give the next generation.
