hark, the herald angels sing

the longest night of the year is behind us. dawn glimmers on the horizon, a pale gray streak brightening to blue even as i type. from here until next june, the days will lengthen, the sun will strengthen, and the light will return. it won't matter how cold it gets, how blustery. this half of the world, from here on out, is literally growing brighter.

whether or not it grows metaphorically brighter is up to us.

last night our sleep was disturbed by one of those phone calls parents hate to get. i was grateful that no one was injured and there was no loss of property. still, it's the sort of incident that can serve as a serious wake-up call to the young person involved.

hopefully, out of this particular darkness will come a great light.

and furthermore, the war will end. blessed be.