A Christmas to Remember
3 years ago was the best Christmas and Chanukah ever and definitely memorable, despite and because of the fact that I was sitting shiva (mourning) for my aunt. While sitting shiva for the week one usually doesn’t do anything extracurricular. My uncle, cousins, and I went to Malibu beach a couple times just to get out of the house and get some fresh air. Happy to see the ocean I love and miss so much, I welcomed it up close and personal. My uncle just sat there shaking his head as my cousins joined me in a cold swim.
A friend of my cousins, whom I’ve known for years, invited them and I for an annual hike. They declined, but I accepted. Several years ago Adi got the idea that a sunrise hike would be a fun Christmas activity for Jews and anyone else who wanted to join. At 0430 while it was still dark, 18 of us met at the base of the small mountain. With the dim glow of flashlights we traversed the rocky path up. After about an hour and just in time for first light we settled ourselves on the mountain top. As the sun began to rise, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. We then broke our fast with pita, avocado, cheese, nuts, and hot tea and calls were made to friends and family. Eventually we made our way down the mountain and towards a second breakfast. IHOP was closed, of course, but we knew there was old faithful- the Kosher diner. We feasted well, laughed a lot, and just had a grand ‘ole time.
I wasn’t exactly torn between staying inside or not. By flying out to California for my aunt’s funeral and sitting shiva, even if loosely, I was honoring my aunt and grieving with family. I knew she would understand my desire to do so in my own way and to continue on and tell me to do so. She was well aware of my Paganism and spirituality, in fact when I was 15 she took me to my first esoteric store and gave me my first tarot deck.
Through the hike I was able to find solace and be reminded that life can and does continue. That there were 18 hikers was a reminder in itself. The number represents chai, which means life in Hebrew, and so is considered a very good number and is a common monetary gift amount for that reason. Watching the valley slowly stir awake was quite something. That I could celebrate Yule in such a way was special. Welcoming the sun and seeing how it brings light and warmth was awesome, to say the least. I’ve seen many sunrises, but never with that particular spectacular view of looking down on creation. It was purely breathtaking. From the mountain top I was able to cast the last bits of hard grief to the hills. I was able to remind myself that death is a different phase in life’s wheel and that it will continue to turn because that is its nature. The sun will rise and life will go on.
A couple days later I celebrated the Festival of Lights with relatives for the first time in my life. That in itself makes it one of the best and most memorable Chanukahs, but that’s part of another post yet to come.
L’chaim, to life.
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When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. ~Cherokee Proverb |
Nice!
=) Merci.