Sandy Beardsley
Living with a Brain Tumor
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12/22/06
Solstice
Filed under: General
Posted by: Dan @ 12:45 am

The longest night of the year…

So I’ve been trying to lighten these nights by being with friends… and lighting fires…

Last weekend a long-time friend drove hours through a huge winter storm to get here so we could drink a little wine, go skiing, laugh, and do some car repair on my old Subaru in the 20-degree weather… all of which we did successfully, more or less. Sunday night after he left for home I dug through the snow covering a large pile of branches and old wood on the back of our acre that had accumulated over the past couple of years and set it on fire. 20-foot flames lit up the dark, snow-covered night for hours.

Last night friends had a dinner party at their home… where I hadn’t laughed that much in a very long time. Thanks friends. I’m still laughing…

And tonight, keeping another tradition going, I went to the annual Christmas party of the local Brain Tumor Support Group that Sandy and I were a part of. It was good to reconnect with all of those wonderful folks. We ate, exchanged gifts, laughed, and remembered… Thanks Mary and crew. Sandy was with us.

When I got home tonight, in honor of the Solstice, I dug our copper fire bowl out of the snow in the Garden of Friendship and had a big campfire. This longest night was lit up, the snow surrounding the flames was glowing as I played my Native American flute… songs for Sandy. Even though this is the first day of winter, the Garden has been snowed in for about a month and a half now. It was beautiful out there to see the flames flickering warmly in the cold, softly glowing snow-covered landscape… and then the coyotes began howling and laughing around the valley… a sound, and an animal, that Sandy and I have always had a special connection to. I’ve got friends out there on this longest night. And I feel Sandy right here by my side… soaking in the laughter, and the warm light.

Good night,
Dan

5 Responses to “Solstice”

  1. Caryn O\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Says:
    Dan–How beautifully you write once again about what many of us take for granted–friends, comfort, warmth and laughter even in the midst of a long, dark and cold winter. Your journey is truly one of incredible depth and hope. We love you and the gift you have given all of us. A proud Mom
  2. The Archuleta Family Says:
    Dear Dan, We are thinking of you as usual, but even more so at this time which we can only imagine is so difficult. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. For it is through you that we are closer to our Sandy. I know she is so proud of you for your strength and courage and someday when we are all together again Sandy will tell us so we all can hear. For now, we just know it in our hearts. We love you. Susie, Wally, Rylee and Hailey
  3. Bob and Lynn Paylor Says:
    Dear Dan, Thank you so much for the wonderful writings and thoughts. Susie is correct, it does keep us closer to Sandy. We wish you peace and joy this holiday season and beyond. Bob and Lynn
  4. Carol Truitt Says:
    Dear Dan, You and Sandy are in my thoughts as usual, or maybe more than usual, the last couple of weeks. May your friends give you strength and your memories give you comfort. We are all with you in our own ways, wishing you joy and peace this season. Love, Carol
  5. JohnDo Says:
    Excelent information. Best wishes.