Birth of light

 

Every year, this gift from a friend I have never met

It seems as if holidays of one sort or another have been going on since early October, when I left for my trip abroad.  Somewhere around Thanksgiving, however, the fever of celebration hit everyone, and busy-ness began in earnest, gatherings, phone calls from nearly lost friends, birthday and holiday brunches and parties and dinners out.  

There were cards to make (I'm late and slow doing them this year...)

and gifts to think about and order and wrap, and cookies to make and suppers to organize.

Not to mention this spectacular Nutella Snowflake Ring (thanks to Diane Morrissey's recipe...simple but messy) to try.  It was quite a hit.

(Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving).

...now it's the third day of Chanukah, and the first night's lighting with the children, dinner, gifts and games long over.  This morning, for the first time in a long time, I am quiet.  The morning light reflecting on the candles and its leavings, the room full of sunshine, I find time to write, but about more than the calendar highlights.

Today is my sister Eileen's birthday, as was my brother Tom's, ten years after hers.  

It's also the winter solstice, when light turns back toward us.  Elizabeth Matheson, marvelous photographer, sent this perfect picture of early morning:

Elizabeth Matheson, First light, solstice, 2022

Given her personality, my sister Eileen seems destined to be born on this day...she is cheerful, helpful, sturdy...bright.  "[That's] Life" is often her answer to what comes her way. She is light to many.

Her husband Jim, a nice fellow himself, couldn't have a better helpmeet.

Today, on her day, she's celebrating by helping, as she has done all week, to make meals for a long-standing local Christmas dinner for those alone or without other resources...2,500 people are expected, she told me.  She volunteers for such because she sees their need.  She began with the Council on Aging Thrift Store, then picked up Meals on Wheels, with Jim navigating back roads, next the Interfaith Council and this week the local Bounty of Bethlehem's holiday dinner. Those are the "official" volunteer activities; her neighbors and family will be quick to add the hands and heart she gives freely to them.

Bounty of Bethlehem, in a prior year

It sounds as if, for her birthday and for the re-lighting of the days ahead, she's being herself.

Happy birthday, Eileen!  It's wonderful to be sister of a woman ...

...for whom kindness and care are the point of a good life.

May you all enjoy and be a good life in the year ahead.