The longest night; the shortest day…Winter Solstice.

Yes; winter is coming (and already here for many of us today).

In a recent conversation with a friend, we shared our collective concerns about continuing to care for a parent with Alzheimer’s. She reminded me of this poem once again and how poignant the connection between the darkness and the light holds space for each of us.  Even as we live through the longer, darker nights of the Winter ahead, may we trust the blessing of light will be near us:

Blessing for the Longest Night (by Jan Richardson)

All throughout these months as the shadows have lengthened,
this blessing has been gathering itself,
making ready, preparing for this night.

It has practiced walking in the dark, traveling with its eyes closed,
feeling its way by memory, by touch by the pull of the moon even as it wanes.

So believe me when I tell you this blessing will reach you
even if you have not light enough to read it;
it will find you even though you cannot see it coming.

You will know the moment of its arriving by your release of the breath you have held so long;
a loosening of the clenching in your hands, of the clutch around your heart;
a thinning of the darkness that had drawn itself around you.

This blessing does not mean to take the night away but it knows its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots along the path,
knows what it means to travel in the company of a friend.

So when this blessing comes, take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road you cannot see.

This is the night when you can trust that any direction you go,
you will be walking toward the dawn.

( © Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com )

Wherever you find yourself on this longest night, remember, tomorrow brings a sliver of more light on your journey. Peace and blessings…