The Shortest Day
December 19, 1996
The darkest days of the year will end on Saturday, when the sun arrives at the point farthest south of the Equator and begins its long climb back to the light.
The December solstice always brings with it an almost physical sense of a weight being lifted from the shoulders, a lightening not only of the western horizon but of the cares of life.
The psychology is powerful. The calendar says winter is just beginning, but the heart knows the worst is over. Once again the shortest day has come and gone, once more we have stared into the depths and survived to contemplate the mountaintop.
There may be snow outside, but as soon as the winter solstice passes it is time to begin thinking about snowdrops.