monday's mulling: leo's luminaries

This time of the year is the season of light overcoming darkness. Yule, or the winter solstice, was just a few days ago, and minute by minute the days are getting longer. Scandinavians have a tradition of lighting the Yule log, symbolizing the return of the sun and longer days. The Persian festival, Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran and is viewed as the victory of light over dar, and the birthday of the sun god Mithra. Advent in the Christian tradition, is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) before Christmas, leading to the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. Many traditions and symbols associated with the winter solstice have been incorporated into religious and secular celebrations worldwide.

Three years ago, our neighbors lost their 15-year old son in a boating accident. He suffered a seizure and fell from his boat during a high school rowing club practice on the Great Miami River. He was just two months into his freshman year in high school and would have graduated this  coming year, May 17, 2025.

According to his obituary, “Leo was a light not to be dimmed. His unique spirit was intensely curious, open to adventure, and kind. He lived life in the present, embracing every detail. In a world that moves too fast and offers plenty of distractions, Leo didn't just stop to smell the flowers, he dug the soil, planted the seeds, nurtured them, and shared the gifts with everyone he loved.” Leo attended the middle school where I taught. One of my fellow English teachers said that his laughter lit up the room and that Leo could get her off topic better than anyone ever could.

Since their son’s passing, every Christmas Eve our neighbors line the street with luminaries to honor their son and his light that touched so many. They light the night in the dark of winter, sending a message of love and hope, enlightening us to to do the same.