Beautiful photo, black belt!

The older I get, the more the traditions of light in the dark time mean to me. I still keep the Advent moss garden/candles going, even though my children are grown- one additional candle for each of the four weeks of December, to bring increasing light into a world that is increasingly dark.

Playing music, either live or on cd, gathering with friends, and bringing in the greens holds the darkness at bay, too.

My daughter, in her second year away at school, is very nostalgic and missing the traditions at home. Candles are forbidden in her dorm, so she's playing music and shining her light in whatever way she can!

This year, despite certain rays of hope that are shining in my country at least, there is a lot of deep anxiety and darkness. It is my hope that by keeping the traditions that mean so much to me and my family, we will be able to keep the inner flames burning enough that some of it can spill over and brighten some others' lives as well.

Allison