Blog Post

The Moments to Celebrate

May 10, 2020

The cold touch of winter could be felt outside the protected borders of the Haven. If not for the magic protecting them it would have been felt as harshly in camp. It made patrols long, and the days dark. 

How long a season seems to last when you are in it.

All they could do was wait. Anticipating the next season and all it would bring.

As the snow gave way and growth began it was finally spring. A celebration would take place to welcome the new season. A day of playing and fun. Of children laughing and the occasional adult who could not resist joining the silly games. Smells from the chef’s fine prepared feist lingered around camp as hungry individuals gathered close. 

Cotton flew through the air like nature’s glitter. Festive and everywhere. 

A new member of the Haven asked another question.

“Why do we celebrate so often? What is the point?” The young man of fifteen was new to the Mythtale world and still had many questions to ask.

“An older woman who took him under her charge as a question in answer, “What do you think the point is? What have you observed? Why do you think we celebrate so often?”

The boy thought in silence, then huffed, “How should I know? It all seems silly. How is it meaningful to celebrate so often?”

“Now that is the real question. How can it be meaningful? We celebrate so often and have the Circle every night to celebrate life. Too often we forget to celebrate our accomplishments, no matter how small. We forget to celebrate and let the years become mundane. The moments become less special and we forget what life truly is. It is not just the moments of pain, of loss, of wearisome days. It is not the days of unkindness, of evil acts of this world. Those moments are what happens in this life, but life is and always will be more. Life is remembering to stop and enjoy. To laugh, and play games. To remember the moments that make you smile, to give kindness to someone else. It is the moments where we almost give up and instead rise to our feet again and continue forward. We celebrate the life and the moments that change us and push us toward the future.”

The boy, distracted by a bird, did not hear any of that. He shrugged his shoulders in response and left to look around.

All the magical beings seemed to be enjoying themselves. With friendly competition, dancing, music. Being together.

Months passed as the boy continued his observations. Each evening the magical beings gathered for the Circle. A bonfire type of pit enclosed by rocks. Logs surrounded far enough out for sitting, leaving plenty of room to dance in the fire’s light. Musicians, of all talented sorts, played music from all regions to celebrate all the cultures the magical beings represented.

Tonight was such a night. Music played, as others slowly began to stand to join the dance. Others ate and talked, some read books, but they were all together.

How was this a celebration?

He looked around the fire.

The dancers kept time with the music and laughed with enjoyment. 

The musicians played, taking pleasure in weaving the notes into songs from regions far and wide.

The book readers seemed off in their own worlds, but all glancing up occasionally to smile at a conversation or a dancer’s missed step.

Those conversing enjoyed the conversations as it varied topics ranging from shallow to depth.

There wasn’t one way to celebrate.

Each person in their own way was stopping the routine and taking a moment to enjoy. To take pleasure in the event in their own way.

Celebrations that they had were not just a show or an obligated moment, but a time to remember.

That despite the horridness life could present, there was always an opportunity, a reason, and a time to celebrate the good.

After all, life wasn’t made to live for the hardships, but for the times in between. So often unnoticed and overlooked by a busy world.

The boy found his reason. He celebrated being able to laugh. To even breathe. He finally saw the moments that made life worth celebrating.

The cotton flew, looking magical in the candle’s light and the bonfire’s glow. 

The music began again, otherworldly and hopeful. Those who wanted to dance began to form around the Circle. Others chatted or read books. They were all together.

The boy stood, celebrating in his heart. Joining the dance as each step brought new joy.

Life had always been full of heartache and hardships, but it was also full of moments often unnoticed that gave a reason to celebrate.

So celebrate he did.