The Longest Night

Sitting snuggled into a warm blanket amidst the twinkle of lights and the glow of candles, she faces the deepest dark.

Impatient for the return of longer afternoons and lengthening twilight, she wishes away these moments.  

But skipping the long cold days of winter for spring would mean no dormant time, no hibernation, nothing to pull the sap up into the branches.  

Spring growth requires this time of deep dark.  

And like the light, returning incrementally, almost imperceptibly until the days suddenly outlast her expectations, so comes the gathering of strength, bit by bit.  

Until suddenly, unexpectedly she bursts into bloom.