I have spent the last several solstices (summer and winter) watching the sun rise with friends in Somerville. We wake up very early, head out to a relatively elevated location, and attempt to catch those first rays. It's usually too cloudy or snowy to see anything, but it's invigorating and means that we're taking advantage of every moment of sunshine on the longest or shortest day of the year.
After the sun rises, we head back into town and find a warm spot for breakfast. Each person in attendance reviews what has happened in her life since the previous solstice (6 months ago) and states a few goals or wishes for the next 6 months. We thought we would continue this grand tradition:
What has happened since the last solstice:
- We had a yard sale
- We observed the first yahrzeit of Louis's dad
- Maggie had her last day of work at Primary Source, her friends Lauren and Cameron came to have a celebratory lunch, and Maggie and Louis left for a weekend trip to Maine, all on the same day!
- Louis played (and did not win) Fantasy Football
- We prepared for our move to Paris
- We moved to Paris!
- Maggie started babysitting and tutoring and taking classes
- Louis started doing archival research
- Robert visited
- Louis's cousins Sandi, Ethan, and Jacob visited
- We made new friends
- We made bagels!
- We visited Belgium
- Sarah visited
- We celebrated Thanksgiving in Munich
- We celebrated Hannukkah in Paris
Goals/wishes for the next 6 months:
- Speak more French (Louis and Maggie)
- Find important and relevant documents that have never been published (Louis)
- Celebrate our three-year anniversary and Louis's 26th birthday (Feb 1)
- Show our families and friends what we love about Paris
- Travel (Morocco? Poland? Italy?)
- Celebrate Panda's 2nd birthday (April 1)
- Stay sane and enjoy ourselves on a family cruise in the Caribbean
- Figure out a plan for what to do when we return to the U.S. (Maggie)
- Safely return to Somerville
This tradition is one of my favorites - I encourage you to try it!
Happy Solstice!
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