Solstice, first day of winter. So much promise in the light. The light not here. The light we know will return. We begin the slow tilt toward summer at the other end of existence. Every day, just a little more light.

It is raining now. Water running off the frozen ground. Running off the pavement. Water underground. Running through concrete tubes to ice gray Willamette.

This after at least a week of freezing cold wind screaming into town through the Columbia River Gorge. That wind blew the soft coating off of my nerves. I snapped at my kids for every little thing last week, because there was an east wind blowing through my brain.

We are into the very darkest days of the year and the rain is back. What a relief! Water is love. Not always warm, not always comfortable. We need it to grow. The rain is here now, pouring water, pouring grief, pouring life. Stay warm. Stay connected.

Love winter! Happy Solstice! Happy Holidays! From, Spreading Roots, Spring Forth