"What if winter is a midwife?" Oooo...I'm going to be pondering this for many winters to come. Such a beautiful essay, Shannon!
Also, it makes me so happy to see a Catholic offering a couples' retreat that is open-armed to LGBTQ couples. I can only imagine how few opportunities there are like this. ❤️
“There was something about the abundant life hidden in the deceptive appearance of barrenness that nourished my soul.” 😭 🙌🏽 YES.
Also, having stepped away from church several years ago, I miss all things rest and ritual of Advent. This year, it WAS the countdown to the Big Show. I’d love to know what you recommend for reading, even ritual during this season, so I can ready for next year. I also so appreciate your hope for the year’s beginning months. I do feel more dialed in, more in tune with the Sacred in all things when fewer distractions are tapping me on the shoulder, a gift of winter.
Shannon, your reflection reminded me of this Advent book my spiritual director had shared with our family. All Creation Awaits, have you read it? My kids talk about it every winter!
I confess winter has far too often gotten to me. This year, I started to feel anxious early in the fall at the thought that winter was coming. My therapist and I went to work. We undid some trauma memories and rerouted my gut instincts. I am trying to have faith in winter, that it has its own gifts to bring me, rather than loathe the thought of it. These words are encouragement that it is possible.
I'm a Minnesotan through and through, and this is how I've always felt about winter. I actually never liked the Narnia books as a kid because of the association that winter was bad!
"What if winter is a midwife?" Oooo...I'm going to be pondering this for many winters to come. Such a beautiful essay, Shannon!
Also, it makes me so happy to see a Catholic offering a couples' retreat that is open-armed to LGBTQ couples. I can only imagine how few opportunities there are like this. ❤️
“There was something about the abundant life hidden in the deceptive appearance of barrenness that nourished my soul.” 😭 🙌🏽 YES.
Also, having stepped away from church several years ago, I miss all things rest and ritual of Advent. This year, it WAS the countdown to the Big Show. I’d love to know what you recommend for reading, even ritual during this season, so I can ready for next year. I also so appreciate your hope for the year’s beginning months. I do feel more dialed in, more in tune with the Sacred in all things when fewer distractions are tapping me on the shoulder, a gift of winter.
Thank you for this!
Shannon, your reflection reminded me of this Advent book my spiritual director had shared with our family. All Creation Awaits, have you read it? My kids talk about it every winter!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1612617859/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
I confess winter has far too often gotten to me. This year, I started to feel anxious early in the fall at the thought that winter was coming. My therapist and I went to work. We undid some trauma memories and rerouted my gut instincts. I am trying to have faith in winter, that it has its own gifts to bring me, rather than loathe the thought of it. These words are encouragement that it is possible.
I'm a Minnesotan through and through, and this is how I've always felt about winter. I actually never liked the Narnia books as a kid because of the association that winter was bad!
Thank you for these words, I will hold on to them this winter (note: my phone just autocorrected ‘winter’ to ‘wonder’- how appropriate!).
In my life, I've thought of January and February as the grey months, but you have taught me something new. Thank you.
Beautiful. Thank you for this. 🌿