Change is never easy.

Discovering the ways you look at the world, shedding old ideas, embracing new ones- it’s wonderful, and exhilarating…

And so very painful, sometimes.

It’s something I’ve learned plenty about over the past few years.

Some things however, don’t change at all.

Of the many things attached the winter holidays – food, music, stories- the thing that stands out the most in my memories, a touchstone for this time of year, is light.

The lights shining out through the darkness and lighting up the homes that dot the hillsides, the electric candelabra in my grandparent’s living room window- lit up with bright blue lightbulbs, the cardboard star covered with gold wrapping-paper- reflecting one solitary light during the church Christmas play.

My life may have changed, my view of the world, but the core of those memories and what they mean- joy, and warmth, and hope- cannot.

So tonight, as I’m wondering my neighborhood in search of glittering white, shining red and green, and tomorrow morning when I watch the glow rise over the hills, I’ll keep those memories with me- lighting the darkness and acting as a beacon to where I’m meant to go- like the star I sang about so often as a child.

Whatever your life is like at the moment, whatever holiday you celebrate this winter season (or if you don’t celebrate any at all), I hope you find a little bit of light in this season of darkness, to light your way and grant some cheer and hope.

Happy winter solstice