Soft and Steady

The snows have been falling softly and steadily throughout the afternoon and now into the evening.  The skies have turned a soft dove gray in the final moments before darkness falls fully over the city.

I’ve had a slow, full day – working on projects, taking phone calls, setting up meetings for later this week and into the next.  I took time for tea at the Venus with Gretchen and then headed down to the flats where all the stores are to get myself some Yaktrax to slip over my shoes for slippery weather (very cool!) and a little external hard drive so I can begin some serious work on my thesis project.

The drivers here are polite and thoughtful – taking their time as the snow covered up roadways – it was actually a pleasure to get from place to place without the added stress of worrying about other drivers.  And at the post office, even though the line was long and there were only two people at the counter, no one grumbled (out loud, anyway) and people were quick about their business.

I have a wonderful gift sitting on my desk from my friend Brandi – a remo finger drum.  It’s about 5″ across and 4″ high and so I can read articles (scholarly …. of course!) and listen to Richie Havens and drum out a simple or complex rhythm.  So fun!

Yesterday was the first night of Hannukah and the winter solstice as well.  A time symbolizing the hope of the light that returns to us, year after year.  There is something beautiful and powerful about sitting to light a fire to the candles, speak the prayers and blessings, and to know that I follow in a long line of women and men who have been speaking these words, sharing these hopes, over the millenia … that I am part of a web of women and men speaking these words and sharing these blessings throughout the world today.

May each of you bask in the light of this season – may each of you find within the hope that is answered, night after night and day after day – may each of you find the fires of a passionate and satisfying life that is meaningful to you.