Merry Merry
Happy Holidays from East Tennessee
Today marks exactly one month since I first landed back in the States, after living in Cape Town for the past six years.
With the solstice tonight—my first WINTER solstice in six years—it’s a good time to think about what it symbolizes: the still point where darkness begins to yield to light.
For now, I’ve set up camp in the loft of my parents’ new home in East Tennessee and am happy to be home for the holidays. As I get my bearings, realign to the northern hemisphere, and get used to seeing the sun in the south, I’m beginning to find the light again for this new path ahead.
A couple nights ago, I was in the loft checking out an all-season wreath hanging on the wall across from my childhood bed and I was suddenly inspired. That wreath needed to be decorated for the holidays. Like, now now.
When you have to reduce a three-bedroom house to just six suitcases, you must prioritize and Marie-Kondo your way down to the essentials. Apparently, a bunch of Christmas ornaments and a USB-rechargeable string of fairy lights make the cut.
I didn’t realize it when I packed them, but these mementos are remarkable reminders of enlightening moments in my traveling life.
My wreath of memories turned out a bit strange, but that seems to be the theme of our world lately. These mementos of a long strange trip are comforting reminders of the wonders of this life, this planet, and all we hold dear.
I hope that in this festive season you can rekindle the light of your fondest memories and make new moments to remember as the sun returns.
Mementos
My first trip to Germany
Harz Mountains
This little witch ornament is from Hexentanzplatz (the witches’ dance floor) in the Harz Mountains. She brings back memories of my first visit to the land of my ancestors, and of the surprise in seeing people on the streets who looked just like my relatives back home. For the first time, I felt a connection to a place that spoke to me in my dreams.
My first solo trip abroad
Berlin
I was studying German in Berlin for the summer and learned how to navigate a foreign land in a foreign language, all on my own.
The Ampelmännchen (“little traffic light men”) are the pedestrian signals in Berlin and are beloved cultural icons from former East Germany, like cute little elves guiding us along our path.
Afrikaburn
Karoo Desert
This wristband is from Afrikaburn, South Africa’s version of the Burning Man festival. New lifelong friendships began in that desert, and I felt, for the first time, the immense creativity and spiritual energy of South Africa.
Unicorns
From New York to Cape Town
My friend Tara gave this pair of unicorns to Angelo and me before we took our big leap of faith and moved to Cape Town.
These creatures remind me of the beautiful friendships we began in New York, and the magic we carry with us wherever we go.
My Angelo
Cape Town
This is a clasp from the VUSA NOW collection, a fashion concept Angelo and I were building before he passed on. VUSA means “awaken” in isiZulu and isiXhosa. This design is a sigil, reminding us to:
“Awaken the light that shines within us, so we can light the path for all”
———
vusa
v/t (isiZulu, isiXhosa)
awaken; wake up; rebuild; renew
