The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 New International Version
My father, John Gibson, often talked about the chiaroscuro (play of light and dark) in his art as it symbolized a belief he held dear, that Jesus came to be the light of the world. He would have been 90 on Nov. 11th. I miss him everyday.
Jone asked us these questions to ponder for our December spiritual journey posts:
How do you honor/embrace this time of darkness?
Where do you find the points of light in your life?
In a few weeks, winter solstice will be here, how do you honor this and Christmas?
How do you use this time of year for self-reflection?
My father-in-law was born on the Winter Solstice, so for the years he was alive, we celebrated this day. Since his death in 2004, we have not gathered as a family for Winter Solstice…until this year. Baby June Margaret was born last year on Dec. 21st. The labor was long for my youngest daughter after she was induced on Dec. 20th. Of course, we wanted her to progress quickly and have the baby before midnight; however, June had other plans. She pushed her way into our world in the earliest hours of Dec. 21st, Papa’s birthday and Winter Solstice Day. This year our family will gather on the 16th to celebrate her first birthday.
In Anderson Cooper’s interview of President Biden for his podcast “All There Is” (which I highly recommend), they speak about the strength of family and how the light of children in your life keep you going when there is loss.
June is our light. She reminds me of my Purpose (My 2023 One Little Word). Being a grandmother has given me new life, new light, new purpose. I’m no longer looking to move upward in my career or to go to school for further degrees. I’ve put in many hours of professional development. I am the teacher I am, but the greatest joy in my life is being grandmother to Leo, Stella, Thomas, and June. I wish my father-in-law was here to meet them. I wish my father could admire them. I wish my mother could remember their names. But despite this grief for what isn’t, I rejoice in what is. The light meets the darkness and overcomes it.
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Reflections on the Teche 
“despite this grief for what isn’t, I rejoice in what is. The light meets the darkness and overcomes it.” This is beautiful and profound…and so classically, you. Thank you for such a lovely post.
There’s nothing quite as light producing as being a grandmother. Thanks for sharing June’s light-filled pic and for reminding us to rejoice in what is.
Margaret: I totally agree. Our grandchildren are bright points of light, shining stars. It is the best occupation yet. Every day is a mixture of dark and light, but we face the light and move onward. Thanks for your thoughts.
I am sitting with the reality that light and dark exist together. We long for what is not, yet we give thanks that it was. Blessed is the Light, Margaret. Blessed be that it comes to us as grandmothers, from a little child. But of course it does!
Margaret, there is a special light that shines through the eyes of children. Even when things seem darkest, their eys and smiles lighten our hearts.
Margaret, I can recall when both of us were first becoming grandmothers. The single grandchild became our light and now there are more flames in our lives. It is astonishing how wonderful their smile becomes- a gift from God. Baby June is growing fast like the others. Their journeys are new and we cherish each moment we are with them. Thank you for reminding me to pause each time darkness comes my way so that I may be reminded of my blessings.
Thank you for the new graphic. It has such beautiful elements that speak of peace: a sunset, layers of light, and a feather bringing hope.
I love this phrase and need to write it down again: chiaroscuro (play of light and dark)
How wonderful that Baby June (June was my mother’s name) was born on December 21. Grandbabies give us such purpose and I can tell she is a sweetie.