Today is the Summer Solstice! For many, the solstice connotates the first day of summer and all the excitement that brings. What excites me the most is to be witness to the longest day of the year, to celebrate the maximum hours of daylight during one 24 hour span that constitutes a day. That and the fact that the sun actually stops, pausing at its apex once it reaches its most northern point, the Tropic of Cancer, before releasing back into its southward trajectory. An image of the sun drawing a deep breath and holding before exhaling, as one does in meditation and yoga, came to my mind when I read this. That pause, that hold will happen tonight at 10:42 EDT; it happens at the same time for everyone everywhere on earth - only our time zones vary.
In Alaska, the Solstice also meant the shortest night and not just the least amount of darkness, but a short amount of sleep. Sleep was not a priority during our Alaskan summers. One didn’t pass up engaging in the long days of sunlight after the long, dark days of winter. Living in Alaska was as close as I came to animals’ hibernation patterns. Summer was full of activities, go, go go, to take advantage of all the daylight. Conversely, winter was a time to rest and recoup ! For example, the sun rose in Anchorage today at 4:15AM and will set at 11:44 tonight! That’s over 19 hours of daylight! That just tickles me to no end. Wish I were there! The last time I was in Alaska near the Summer Solstice was in 2018. We were up at midnight on my birthday taking pictures from the bluffs near Homer as the sun was setting behind Mount Illiamna and the Aluetian Range.
I can still feel the rush of excitement experiencing the long hours of daylight. I may not be in Alaska, but I still feel energized by the Summer Solstice. It is such a brief time of enchantment…that pause between the longest amount of daylight we can experience before we imperceptibly start losing it.
It’s no small wonder that June is my favorite month; two of my favorite events happen in June. My birthday and the Solstice, both worthy of celebration. And what a month of celebrating it’s been. The stars were aligned for my 70th birthday, as I’ve been showered with love from family and friends. I’ve been to two museums, spent a day at the beach with family, was treated to a birthday lunch, received tickets to a funny play at our local theatre and attended with three of my favorite people and still have an outing to Pickety Place in Mason, NH, (https://www.pickityplace.com/) with two special friends next week. Talk about celebrating all month, I have actually managed to do just that this year. To say I feel blessed in an understatement.
The big celebration was last weekend. Hosted by my family, I got just what I asked for… a pile of rocks! My son delivered a dump truck full of rocks that had been gathered out of their fields. I had been envisioning a pollinator’s garden in my mind’s eye for two years. I had intended to use the rocks as a border to hold the big mound of dirt I would need to pile within their barrier. I was warned that might look ugly, so I regrouped at the last minute and ordered more above ground galvanized beds. Still I had the rocks to use. Thus came my family to the rescue. They arrived ready to work. My son took wheelbarrow full after wheelbarrow full of rocks to my daughters-in-law as they built a rock wall around a jungle of a flower bed, containing it beautifully. Still having rocks at their disposal, they created a border around one of my favorite beds and carried the rock border along a hillside riotous with ground cover and perennials vying for space. Essentially, they tamed (well maybe not tamed) but defined my wild gardens. My daughter constructed the raised beds - four of them in all, one a 4’ x 4’, one 2’ x 4’ and two 4’ x 8’. I now have ample growing space, if not ample sunlight. My son-in-law oversaw the six grandkids, age 2 - 9. Our driveway looked like a carnival, complete with face painting, rock painting and sidewalk chalk adorning the whole of our parking area! We accomplished a lot; I was so satisfied at what we created as a family. When I think how long it all would have taken me to complete, I marvel at the power of teamwork! David rewarded us with a delicious dinner made to order; my daughters-in-law each brought yummy salads. I was celebrated with love. My daughter had published a book of musings, memories and pictures from all of those I hold dear. The tears spilled and my heart overflowed! I was thrilled when the kids presented me with their gift of a chaise lounge - I’ve wanted one for years. There was lots of room for the grandkids to pile on, too!
The bizarreness of such joyful celebrations, combined with the giddiness of the Summer Solstice continues to play against the backdrop of uncertainty as devastatingly malicious events continue to underscore our daily life. Yet, it is critical we do not overlook all the ways joy fills our lives. With joy comes kindness and the world needs all the kindness we can muster at this point. Thank you for letting me indulge my happiness and birthday goings-on with you; I’ve been grateful for all the good that’s come my way this month. I’ve taken none of it for granted.
Happy Solstice! Please take time to pause and reflect on this longest day of the year, just as the sun will pause at 10:42 tonight. The Latin words that make up solstice are sol (sun) and stitium (pause or stop) or sistere (to stand still), depending on which source you use. Either way, may you take time to pause, stop or stand still as you let this astronomical event fill you with wonder.
Remain curious. Be Kind, be well. As Always With Love
Happy Solstice Gale, Dave and family. Yes, it is a long day in Homer Alaska.