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| Photo by Steve Johnston |
At the little school where I am Director (i.e., administrative staff of one), we have a wonderful annual tradition called the Lantern Walk. In the weeks leading up to the event, the teachers help the children craft beautiful little square lanterns out of watercolor paper with tissue-paper star-shaped windows. A little tealight is glued into place and the families search for a Y-shaped stick to hold the lantern. We practice our four traditional songs (which the children are usually too awestruck to actually sing at the festival) and then all of the families gather just after dark on a Sunday evening as we approach the Winter Solstice. They are greeted with several hundred luminarias (candles set in sand in white paper bags) showing the pathway. Being as quiet and reverent as possible with three-to-five-year-olds in attendance, we proceed with our lighted lanterns to a large field, where we stand in a circle around a small bonfire and sing. Simple, short, meaningful and memorable.
It is my job to "make the call" if the weather is questionable, often a source of agony and stress. Sometimes I have decided to go ahead, only to be greeted with a downpour moments before the families arrive. Other years it has been so windy that there was no hope of keeping the lanterns lit. Usually we manage to get through it with whatever weather northern California provides.
But every once in a while--and this was one of those times--it is absolutely perfect, and just magical. The night before, there were torrential rains--I mean drenching downpours--and there didn't seem to be any chance it would be happen tonight. BUT...the weather was progressively clearer, and by the time I had to decide (2 pm) it felt right to say yes, yes we will go ahead. It turned out there were a few clouds, and a little wind, but a lovely bright three-quarter moon and a little nip in the air. One of the best years ever.
The last time it was this special, one of our parents was inspired to write a poem, and I was moved to letter it.
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| Poem by Daniel Polikoff Artwork by Jody Meese |
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| Poem by Daniel Polikoff Artwork by Jody Meese |
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| Poem by Daniel Polikoff Artwork by Jody Meese |
This was done some years ago, so I don't remember much about the details. I believe it was Doc Martin's bleed-proof white, and I recall sponging on the moon and sprinkling salt on the blue paint to make the starry night. The little yellow blobs, of course, are the children's lanterns in procession.
Lovely Foundational Jody! You have expressed the experience and the author's poem beautifully. I feel as though I was in attendance. :)
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