When the Light Around You Lessens

Gather all the kindling.

Hello there! And welcome to Dandelion Seeds, an illustrated newsletter in search of the meaning in everyday moments.

Yesterday felt like one of the darkest days we’ve had yet this winter in Belgium.

The sky was heavy, the air was bitterly cold, and when I set out with Eva in our bike, my fingers felt frozen within minutes, even with gloves on.

But then I turned a corner, and there, standing tall in a wooden planter by the street, were the year’s first daffodils — so improbable and bright that even Eva sat up straighter in her seat and called out, “Mommy, lellow.”

Right now, it feels like the world is also living through the dark days of winter. The skies are heavy, and the bitter cold keeps seeping in.

Over the weekend, in desperate need of warmth and hope, I opened a book I turn to often — To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. It’s by the late Irish poet and philosopher, John O’Donohue, and it’s a collection of blessings unlike those I’ve read anywhere else, such as “For One Who Is Exhausted.”

As I looked through the blessings, I came across one whose title was just two words, but they stopped me in my tracks:

“For Courage.”

I was so moved by John’s words that I’ve hand-lettered an excerpt of his blessing to share with you today. I focused on the lines I felt most speak to this moment — and, I hope, to you.

With love,
Candace