Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Lights out


I lit this candle the night of the day the big wave overtook me. By the time it was ready to go out, shortly after some of you lit your candles on the second Sunday in December, I was through the worst of that particular round.


The last of the last candle of the last Shabbat of the year. And if you are quick on the uptake, you realize that the fact that I took this picture proves that I am decidedly not Orthodox.


Hanukkah is also finished. Sigh. I love the candles every night.

A's name means "the father of the candle (or of the light)." Honestly not until I submitted my portrait for the Glow contributors page did I make the connection with how much comfort I drew from the candles I have lit in the last 23 months. I am slow like that. But I also don't think it's any kind of a sign-- we picked the name after he died, but it was the name at the top of a very short list. And I have always loved watching candles. And bonfires.

Today is 23 months. It's a Wednesday again, only the second time this has happened so far. And in an hour it will be a new year where we are.

2008 was good to us, even if it was hard. But I will take good and hard over terrible and hard, any day. And now it must end. Just like every candle ever lit must go out.

I wish you all a good year, a better year than you dare wish for yourself. See you on the other side.

17 comments:

ezra'smommy said...

wishing you much love and light in the new year.

Hope's Mama said...

Sending you love Julia. And happy new year, as if my calculations are correct, you are about to join me on the other side....

k@lakly said...

I agree, with all of it...especially taking good and hard over terrible and hard, absolutely.
Hope 2009 brings a lot more good and a lot less hard, for all of us.
xxoo

JW Moxie said...

"2008 was good to us, even if it was hard. But I will take good and hard over terrible and hard, any day."

Amen.

To more light than dark in 2009.
xoxo


BTW - the comment you left for me the other day - it was one of the best I've ever received. Thanks.

CLC said...

Wishing you more happiness and peace your way for 2009. Thanks for all of your support in '08!

Gal said...

Thank you, Julia...

Anonymous said...

I wish a bright year for you and yours.

Pamela T. said...

wishing you all the best in the new year...

most of all, thanks for your friendship.

Kami said...

Happy New Year - may it be happy and peaceful with lots of light

Bon said...

this was a beautiful post, Julia.

happy new year to you, and light.

c. said...

Wishing you a wonderful year, Julia. XO.

Betty M said...

Hope 2009 is good to you and yours.

Tash said...

I'm now wondering why candles have always made me sad.

Good and better to you and yours.

Maggie May said...

i found you accidentaly and just wanted to stop in and say hi. i love the 'i won't fear love' song and that whole CD is amazing...i am so sorry for your loss.

Magpie said...

Happy new year - and peace to us all.

Lori said...

Wishing you another good, and maybe not so hard, year in 2009.

Much love,
Lori

niobe said...

That last picture? Amazing.