Bill, Sam and I just celebrated Summer Solstice once again. We think that it is the 16th year of recognizing this particular tradition. We also celebrate the Winter Solstice in December. If I remember correctly, this sprung out of the realization that we were continuing to honor a holiday that we had no connection to. We weren't Christian and so Christmas seemed inappropriate. We made Winter Solstice our holiday celebration. The tradition of making our gifts and exchanging them on December 21st was born. Sam was pretty young at the time and we were surprised by the reaction of family and friends. Some called it child abuse, the blatant act of refusing to buy our child Christmas presents for her to open on Christmas Day. Mind you, she received plenty from our large, extended family and many friends. She wasn't deprived in any sense.
Nowadays, we organize a hike up to Borel Hill, one of the peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There are usually anywhere from4 to 15 people that join us. Favorite quotes and poems are shared. Music is played. We've had one-man shows, juggling and the spinning of poi. At sunset, a moment is taken to thank the sun and the earth and then its off down the mountain to gather for food, more music, and good conversation. It is always a different set of people to keep it interesting.
The next Solstice for me will be in Guatemala. If it works out, I will be hosting a celebration down there.
These are a couple of quotes that my friend Syn sent for us to read at the top of the hill but they were left out:
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"
~ Mark Twain
"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams"
~ John Barrymore.
