The shortest day turns into the longest night.

In mid winter the shortest day turns into the longest night. I am Pagan and this is cause for great celebration. This year I'm a day off, lol. At 11:47 last night we made the slow, calculated turn towards light. This family will pretend it is tonight. No matter. The important part of this celebration is that we are together and it's a great chance to explain my beliefs to a group of children who are finally able to understand and, more importantly, wonder about them. It has always been my goal to educate my children in a way that leaves the door open for thought and choice. It is my hope that my children will choose a spiritual path of respect and love, light and family, faith and heart. I am often asked what I will do if my children become Christian. I love that question because it is typically asked from a platform of horror. It is expected that I would be offended, horrified, angry, sad (whatever negative feeling you want to insert here). Quite the contrary, I'd be thrilled. I have only one rule regarding religion. Respect. I cannot imagine my children choosing to be disrespectful. I hope that I have raised them to always consider the thoughts and feelings of others. So long as they are not disrespectful in their beliefs then I will be proud of their choice. After all, THEY made it.

I cannot choose the life my children will lead. I can only offer my beliefs, show why my convictions are important to me, answer questions honestly and allow for open thought and even disagreement. I provide the information. They decide how to interpret it. Paganism isn't required. I hope, as most parents do, that my children follow in my footsteps simply because I think it's a beautiful path to be on. That does not mean I'll begrudge them their own path. I hope more fervently that the path they choose is as beautiful. What more could a mother want?

So on the night we've chosen to honor the darkness and rejoice in the rebirth of the sun, there will be love and candlelight. The longest night will be cherished for it's necessity, and we'll welcome the sunshine by being sunshine ourselves.

May the light of the newly born sun shine on you all today, and every day this year. May it's rays bring you opportunity for thought and action. May it's life-giving warmth bring you abundance and people to share it with. Have a fantastic year my friends. Blessed Be.