happy solstice

We got an early start on the solstice...there was sledding...


...and snowball fights (can you see them? kids against grownups...er, Dan.)...
...and painting (in the "paint shirt")...
...and lantern-making...

...and at last darkness again and a walk to the bike path, and over the river into true darkness, with our lanterns swinging by our sides. We talked about what we are grateful that the sun does for us in our lives: Ani is glad it has a home, way way up in the sky where it is safe; Eliza is grateful that it feeds the plants in our garden and gives us food; Dan is grateful for its nearly constant company on his walks to and from school; I am grateful for the energy it provides our bodies in so many ways...We were also munching on peppermint bark we'd made earlier in the day and Anika shared that what she is reeeeeeally grateful for is actually chocolate, so we talked about how we need the sun even for chocolate. Then a few good sun songs for good measure and the slow lovely walk home in the dark. Happy Solstice.

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way home