It's Solstice today. Our biggest celebration of the year. It's a simple, homegrown holiday for our family and we spend the day together making candles and bird feeders; sharing hand-made gifts; hiking or skiing to the woods for a campfire as the sun sets; and walking back in the dark for a dinner of all local food by candle light. It's my favorite day of the year.
So yesterday we were in the final push of preparations. As always, we're more behind than we would like to be and both kids were calling for help with jigsaws and belt sanders; candy thermometers and freezer paper stencils; acrylic paints and persnickety computer printers.
Did I mention that we didn't have a tree yet? Right. That. The day before our celebration. (We're always behind but we've never been quite this far behind before.) Pete was sick so we postponed cutting last week, then I was away, and then it was below zero. (If you cut a tree when it's below zero the branches and needles all shatter and it's not a pretty sight.) So we had to wait for a stretch of warmer days, which pushed us to yesterday, the day before our celebration.
And then our sweet cat – who just hasn't been getting better these past two weeks – took a rapid turn for the worse. We spent half of the day cleaning up things I would rather not discuss all over our kitchen, mudroom, and living room and I felt myself on the verge of tears for so many reasons. The cat, the clean-up, our plans, and Solstice. Overwhelm of every sort.
I called the vet and they squeezed us in.
We managed to cut a tree before our appointment, but the rest of our plans were sidelined. Gifts would wait, decorating would wait, cooking and baking would wait. When we returned from the vet we didn't have more answers but we did have an intensive plan of care for him, syringe feedings every hour until (if) he rebounds. It was heavy and overwhelming.
And so at dinner last night I fell apart. I cried, worried about this sweet cat. I cried, feeling the heaviness of so many things this season. I cried for exhaustion, having woken at 3 AM, unable to sleep, worried about All The Things.
I say this not for sympathy, just for perspective. Everyone falls apart now and then. At least I hope you do. (It's like I tell my kids: tears are medicine if you let them out but poison if you hold the in.)
And then something beautiful happened.
My family encircled me. Sage made me a cup of my favorite herbal tea. Lupine gathered tinctures and remedies. Pete drew me a bath and lit candles. I exhaled. I felt held and safe and understood. A friend emailed and another friend texted, checking in.
More love, more compassion, more empathy.
And as I crawled into bed early last night, I realized – these were the gifts that I needed. Not something from the wood shop or craft cabinet or big box store, but this. Love, caring, compassion, connection.
This is what giving truly means.
It it means everything.
So before you hand a paper wrapped present to someone this season, make a tiny bit of space to reach out and encircle someone with love who needs it. Your partner, your parent, your child, or a friend. A stranger in crisis, a people in crisis, anyone. Because gifts of compassion and love mean so much more than gifts of things. And I will give both.
May you give and receive with open hearts, my friends. This season, this year, and always. Happy Solstice, dear ones. You are loved.
Love,
Rachel
This moved me to tears and gave me a push to reach out to someone. Thank you, Rachel. Wishing for wellness for your sweet cat and all of you. Happy solstice dear ones ☺️
Happy Solstice to you and your family, Rachel. Your words are always like a gift to me, please don’t forget that! Thank you for sharing, this and always.
Thank you Rachel.
Its always so grounding to ‘visit’ you. Even if its just on the screen. Its overwhelm and decision fatigue that gets me too. What your family gave to you is exactly what I need sometimes. I empathize with you right now. Take care Rachel, all of you.
oh…. sooo sooo nice
You are such a lucky woman because when I said that yesterday to my husband when he came home, he replied ” Oh then you are not in a good mood” and when to mind his own stuff…
Dear Rachel,
first of all: your blog is truly a source of inspiration and encouragement to me so many times in my life! Thank you for the gift you have of putting the things you feel (and I feel) into such simple, kind and beautiful words.
i fell apart in a very similar way a few days ago and broke down cryind in my class at school (i’m a primary teacher) ’cause it was all too much, and in my experience too, falling apart is often followed by giving and coming together of people – family, friends, colleagues… – in unexpected and wonderful ways. i was carried and encouraged by so many people, teachers, parents of “my” kids, my husband and family, and it turned out better than probably could have without my falling apart. so i guess, even the falling apart has a really good and beautiful side to it! Thanks for reminding us!
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Thank you, Meg. x
Oh, Gloria. Thank you!
Sending blessings your way, Spiritmama! x
Sometimes it’s hard to hold space for others when we are hurting or disconnected as well. Sending love and light to you and your partner. x
Thank you for sharing, Florentine. Beautiful words. Sending love your way!
Absolutely beautiful………..absolutely true in the truest sense.
I have tears in my eyes having read this.
Thank you for reminding us………we sometimes forget……we are human.
Sending you & yours love & health & peace
Kay
“Because gifts of compassion and love mean so much more than gifts of things” you are so right about this.