Solstice

Silence. Finally. I wish this were the order of every morning. The only sounds that woke us today were the roosters crowing. Kep, Cambodia. So quiet... The first time since being in Cambodia that I hear birds singing. I can reach out over the veranda and pluck a mango right off it's home. I can smell the ocean. I can SEE the ocean. Vietnam is an outline on the horizon.

We are far away from home. Far away from the cycles of the seasons and the light that solstice brings. Everything is lush and abundant here. Crackling fires, snow falling and the warmth of family gatherings lives only in our hearts for the time being.

The rhythm of the holidays is off by a few beats for us. It takes a combined effort to even know what day it is...we are lost in the moments. We count nights in hotels and bus rides instead of nights until Christmas dawn breaks.

As the daylight now grows longer back home, stretching a little further each day, we too reach our limbs further. Today we begin the slow ascent north. Step by step into colder weather. Day by day a little closer to home, missing our families and the warmth they provide.

A most loving, humble and Happiest of Holidays to you all. Cherish the closeness of each other. Tell your most dear how grateful you are for them. Keep your arms open wide to receive the love and sunshine that we send to you from the other side of the world....

We love you!