Whole Family Learning: On the Solstice

Monday, June 20, 2016

On the Solstice

But I also say this: that light

is an invitation

to happiness,

and that happiness,

when it's done right,

is a kind of holiness,

palpable and redemptive.

~ Mary Oliver, "Poppies"

Everyone has their season. Mine is definitely summer. Long, light-filled days spent outside, often by water and near forests and farms, replenish us after icy New England winters. The Solstice is a special time to celebrate this season of warmth and abundance. In ways both ordinary and festive, today we gave a nod to the Earth's tilt -- and a rare, coinciding full strawberry moon.

After dropping off my oldest at a local day camp with friends, the rest of us tended our community garden which is bursting with goodness! (It also has some pesky aphids on our tomato plants, but a little homemade mix of water and natural dish soap seems to be doing the trick.) After the garden visit, Brian and my seven-year-old played basketball at a nearby court while the two youngest ones and I went to the playground. Later, my toddler and I drove to the little farm outside the city where we collect our weekly egg share, while Brian read to the middles.

As the afternoon wore on with the sun still high and bright, we packed a picnic dinner and walked to the nearby Harvard Museum of Natural History for its annual Solstice celebration. Underneath a setting sun and rising moon, we enjoyed an evening of live music and dance, summer crafting, and a spectacular circus performance. There is so much to be grateful for in this new season. There is so much to appreciate at this time of year as the Earth fills up our bellies and our spirits.

Wishing you a bright and happy start to summer!