In the bleak midwinter
‘In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer, and that gives me hope.’ (Albert Camus)
The sun struggled to reach the horizon today. Looking out through frost-covered glass, I could see shimmering silhouettes and long dark shadows of people scraping the ice off their car windows. As I too stepped outside, I could feel the bitter cold immediately biting at my skin. I pulled up my collar and slid my hands quickly into thick thermal gloves before heading up the street for a brisk winter walk. Just 2 weeks to go now until the solstice, the shortest day.
Lilin, my Malaysian sister-in-law, asked, ‘Why are all the trees dead?’ It was her first experience of winter in the UK’s temperate climate and she wondered if something devastating had happened. This bleak and freezing season can feel like that. Dim light can darken our vision. The bright light and warmth of a new year will follow; yet for those who feel trapped in distress or despair, for whom spring may seem like a distant dream, don’t give up. Hold onto hope.
If the Christmas period feels hard for you or for someone you love this year, here are some helpful resources: