Winter Solstice
“A long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last” – Counting Crows
Heading into December, especially in places like Cleveland, it is easy to see the signs that winter is coming. The days are shorter and cooler than a few weeks ago. The vibrant colors of summer and autumn are fading to grays and browns. Folks who live further from Lake Erie have already experienced their first frost, maybe even a little snow. Sweaters are everywhere. The winter coats have come out, even if you have not worn them yet. Discussions about “what’s for dinner?” will include more recipes for soup.
It’s not winter. But it’s close.
The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. December 21 is the shortest day, and longest night, of the year. Officially, there will be 10 hours of daylight. But it probably won’t feel like it.
And then, the days begin to grow longer again. Slowly, hardly noticeable at first, but longer all the same. The coldest days are still to come, but December marks the beginning of winter – and at the same time, its end.
Throughout history, the winter solstice is often a time of significant cultural and religious festivals. Harvest is over; spring planting is weeks or months away. In ancient Persia, the festival of Yalda celebrated the victory of light over darkness. Roman Saturnalia was a time of feasting and gift-giving. Ancient “festivals of light” expressed hope for better days and rebirth. Rituals from ancient celebrations find their way into modern observations of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza. Evidence of the universal hope that things will get better.
The past months have been challenging for vulnerable older adults in our community. Increases in food, healthcare and housing costs have strained the resources of people living on fixed incomes. Reductions in staff in federal agencies have made it more difficult for others to access benefits or find information about programs they rely upon. The federal government shutdown added to the stress and concerns of many people served by Benjamin Rose and our community partners.
Despite the challenges, Benjamin Rose continues to strive to improve and expand our services for older adults and family caregivers and fulfill our mission to be a trusted partner on the aging journey.
As we enter into the holiday season, we know that this is a time of great joy and fond memories. It can also be a challenging time for those who are struggling to get by. Our wish to you throughout the season is that you find opportunities for celebration and thankfulness, that you find time for friends and family, and yourself, and that you experience the hope of better, brighter (and longer!) days ahead. May this year be better than the last.
Happy Holidays. Thank you for your support of Benjamin Rose.
Find helpful tips for older adults and family caregivers during the holidays on our website.
For a seasonal playlist to ring in the Winter Solstice, visit Smithsonian Folkways.