I don't usually post personal stories on this blog because I reserve it for artwork that I have done or important projects with which I've taken part. But, that being said- I would like to share a meaningful ritual that I experienced this past winter season.
The ritual we experienced was a candle lighting ceremony that took place at the house of close family friends with whom Mom, Eamon and I chose to spend the holiday instead of our family. In their dining room was an assortment of five large, white winter candles that spanned the length of the table. After the meal was ready, and before we sat to eat- the grandmother of the family introduced the ritual. It involved reading a passage and while lighting each candle- representing stages of grief and remembrance for loved ones that have died. It was particularly powerful this year because Eamon and I experienced the sudden death of an important person in our lives- and also for my Mom, because she always misses her parents particularly in December, but also because there have been some issues in our extended family that have been really awful to deal with this year. The ritual reminded us of the importance of the season in reflecting on those people that truly matter to us and keeping their memories close in our mind.
We have all been looking for different ways to celebrate the seasons, and this one seems to be appropriate for the season of death and rebirth. One way or another, we will be incorporating into our own non-religious observance from now on. In the future, I look forward to working with my Mom on creating a fresh pine centerpiece for the ritual because of how much she enjoys arranging flowers with cut pine in winter. She arranges flowers professionally, so I'm sure it will be beautiful. This new tradition will be a meaningful addition to the way she already decorates each year with so many greens, pinecones, and candles- as well as an homage to the winter decorations she made in the past from the forest where I grew up. She also had gone to the forest to make decorations from the pine cuttings for both of my grandparents graves for their December birthdays before she moved.
This ritual emphasized how coming years will be better for those of us who choose to be together. Especially because we won't be wasting the time we have left with those we love on people that aren't good for us.
The ritual we experienced was a candle lighting ceremony that took place at the house of close family friends with whom Mom, Eamon and I chose to spend the holiday instead of our family. In their dining room was an assortment of five large, white winter candles that spanned the length of the table. After the meal was ready, and before we sat to eat- the grandmother of the family introduced the ritual. It involved reading a passage and while lighting each candle- representing stages of grief and remembrance for loved ones that have died. It was particularly powerful this year because Eamon and I experienced the sudden death of an important person in our lives- and also for my Mom, because she always misses her parents particularly in December, but also because there have been some issues in our extended family that have been really awful to deal with this year. The ritual reminded us of the importance of the season in reflecting on those people that truly matter to us and keeping their memories close in our mind.
We have all been looking for different ways to celebrate the seasons, and this one seems to be appropriate for the season of death and rebirth. One way or another, we will be incorporating into our own non-religious observance from now on. In the future, I look forward to working with my Mom on creating a fresh pine centerpiece for the ritual because of how much she enjoys arranging flowers with cut pine in winter. She arranges flowers professionally, so I'm sure it will be beautiful. This new tradition will be a meaningful addition to the way she already decorates each year with so many greens, pinecones, and candles- as well as an homage to the winter decorations she made in the past from the forest where I grew up. She also had gone to the forest to make decorations from the pine cuttings for both of my grandparents graves for their December birthdays before she moved.
This ritual emphasized how coming years will be better for those of us who choose to be together. Especially because we won't be wasting the time we have left with those we love on people that aren't good for us.
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The ritual verse was based on the original work below:
Holiday Memorial
By Sherry L. Willliams
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On that same trip-
After waking up at Brittany's house in Chicago to a beautiful light snowfall, we found this little friend on a window ledge of a store.
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| The Artist with his work, ...the proudest security guard in Chicago. |
