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Christmas morn on the California central coast, blue skies and a brilliant sunset. A contemplative solitary stretch of holy nights. - Jazmin (California)
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In May of this year, we hatched out chicken eggs in the Waldorf co-op I facilitate. There’s nothing quite like baby chicks to inspire the hope and promise of the summer. Late in the month, my 5th grandchild was born. The first boy! – Born to my son. Looking back on these events, I remember a sense of optimism. A bit of bravery and confidence. Hope for new life; excitement for the new growing season - a trust in healing for the fragile relationship I have with my son.
Seven months later as I enter the darkest days of the year, I find myself quite a bit less optimistic. Two weeks ago, I got rid of 3 of the 7 chickens we hatched out, because too many roosters in the flock creates chaos and mayhem. It was hard and made me sad. Yesterday I took Christmas presents out to my son’s home for my granddaughters and for little baby William, since we don’t see them for holiday gatherings. My visit was pleasant, but I left with a sad heart. I don’t know why. – Or maybe I do.
Margrit Wegat-Wedig posted this morning in the Rudolf Steiner group page: When we look at our lives through the eyes of our spiritual self, we see that we attract all our difficulties for the express purpose of making us stronger and more objective.
I believe this, and I’ve become more open and accepting to the difficulties that present themselves in my life. This doesn’t mean I look forward to them – just that I’m more comfortable with the sad moments of my life. I remain confident that life is purposeful; rain or shine. - Earlier this month my daughter announced that she was pregnant with her 3rd child; a bit of light at the end of winter's dark tunnel!
May you all travel safely through the darkest days. I take comfort knowing that so many of you are out there!
Merry Christmas from Indiana! - Jennifer (Indiana)
Seven months later as I enter the darkest days of the year, I find myself quite a bit less optimistic. Two weeks ago, I got rid of 3 of the 7 chickens we hatched out, because too many roosters in the flock creates chaos and mayhem. It was hard and made me sad. Yesterday I took Christmas presents out to my son’s home for my granddaughters and for little baby William, since we don’t see them for holiday gatherings. My visit was pleasant, but I left with a sad heart. I don’t know why. – Or maybe I do.
Margrit Wegat-Wedig posted this morning in the Rudolf Steiner group page: When we look at our lives through the eyes of our spiritual self, we see that we attract all our difficulties for the express purpose of making us stronger and more objective.
I believe this, and I’ve become more open and accepting to the difficulties that present themselves in my life. This doesn’t mean I look forward to them – just that I’m more comfortable with the sad moments of my life. I remain confident that life is purposeful; rain or shine. - Earlier this month my daughter announced that she was pregnant with her 3rd child; a bit of light at the end of winter's dark tunnel!
May you all travel safely through the darkest days. I take comfort knowing that so many of you are out there!
Merry Christmas from Indiana! - Jennifer (Indiana)
I have been practicing the Holy Nights for several years. I first got started with Mary Adams who did a lovely workshop with many of us maybe 3 years ago. I made the calendars at that time and have continued each year. I begin with Capricorn vs April as it is easier for me to do and Jan is my birthday month. The color is peach although in the picture it looks brownish.
Two of my children attended Waldorf schools. Everyone is doing beautiful work. - Kathe (Texas) |
Birth
We created two appliqué type pieces of artwork using colored metallic paper on black paper for these images. - Marjorie and Conrad (California)
Carrizo Plain
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Inspired by Christian Morgerstern poem:
The Washing of the Feet I thank you, silent stone on earth, and gently lean to you below. - Daniella (California) |
December 25: Last May I created a camping overnight ritual for my sixth grade class, as culmination to the Knighthood Project. Parents joined us for a portion of the time. The students made them dinner, then delivered a letter of gratitude, and parents gave their children a letter to read in their tents that night. The strongest sensory memory from that evening is seeing the children's faces around the campire as they shared the stories of their names. The second half of sixth grade year was more tumultuous, with more emotional ups and downs among the children. The feeling of that night was hilarity (cooking together) and slight tension (seeing their parents at school, interacting in a more formal way in the ritual) and quiet (the fire after parents had left and chldren knew they were done with what had been required of them in the ceremony). A thought that came to me in this writing: The fire knows what the children need. - Abigail (Vermont) |
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2nd Night…
May was a time of highs and lows. The good times were amazingly good, where everything felt in perfect alignment. There were challenges too. I had to remember to find positives and look for the lessons in the difficult times. There were a lot of disappointments, where I had to accept it and move on. To move on took more than acceptance, but also the willingness to change and adapt and the courage advocate. - Carrie (North Carolina) |