The Earth Goes Dormant but an Awakening is in the Shadows

This time of year is usually very hard for me. The days grow shorter, the suns absence becomes more noticeable, the Earth's blanket dies and goes into dormancy. It is a time I honor my own sadness and darkness. I must admit that the transition of seasons is much easier in New Mexico. The days are shorter but the sun is almost always present. The sun and blue skies offer hope to my heart. Winter does not overwhelm me in darkness here. We had our first snow fall this last weekend. Fun to have the kids come in to our bed screaming "Its snowing." The first snow is always so magical, especially for kids. Jake had them out in the snow before breakfast. Santa Fe having such a high elevation still sees winter though nothing as extreme as Bemidji does. The weather is the best of all worlds. We have done a lot of laughing watching people with coats, scarves, hates and mittens in the forties. They complain like it is the end of the world. Snowplows out with an inch of snow on the ground that will melt by afternoon. Maybe we too will become weak to the cold but for now we are pretty hardy. We do love Santa Fe. It is rich with the hispanic culture and extreme love of the arts. Their seems to always be family friendly events to go to. I say to Jake all the time, "I love it here." With that said the absence of loved ones grows heavier. I really thought it would get easier as time went on but it seems to be harder. The loss of being five minutes away from family is substantial. At times it takes my breath away. Their is such a gift found in being known. Starting over is hard. As the season calls me to slow and honor my spirit I feel thankful for the opportunity to focus inward. I am enjoying having time to spend on myself. Exercising, going to the hot tub or sauna. Focusing on feeding the family nutrious foods. Spending time going to yoga and the zen center growing my connection to self and the Universe. The count down to our flight back home to Minnesota has begun. The kids have big plans that become more detailed daily. My heart longs to feel the warmth of the fire, to hear the laughter of loved ones, to be held in the comfort of being known and to watch the magic of the season in my children eyes. Maybe this year more then any other year will the true meaning of the season come forth. The idea of material gifts seem trivial in comparison of the gift of being together.