Today is my birthday. 62 years. I am sitting at my desk watching snow fall so beautifully on the trees beyond my window. This always seems like the true beginning of the year, the day of the Epiphany (even though I’m not a Christian). My own faithful Oxford dictionary is a little disappointing when it comes to defining “epiphany”, choosing to stress its Christian context. But the Merriam-Webster is a little more interesting and I’m wondering if or what the illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure might be:
Definition of epiphany
plural
epiphanies
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1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
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2 : an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
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3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b : a revealing scene or moment
Happy Birthday, Theresa! What a perfect birthday description for you! Blessings from Harold, born on Ephipany Eve
Thanks, Harold! And Happy Birthday to you, too. I used to think this was the worst time of year to have a birthday but now I think it might be the best…
Happy, happy birthday, T! I LOVE this piece. I never thought about epiphany beyond the religious sense. Does explain a lot about why I’m sitting here writing in my favourite cafe, on a gorgeous, perfect winter day, editing the draft of my first book, and feeling so full of promise for 2017. It has felt over the past weeks that certain things are clicking, falling into place; it has been a time of moving through blocking thoughts that have been tugging at my hem. Gone, they are, gone. And those days are getting longer, every day…. Love to you xo
Oops, these got turned around. But thank you, Beth!
Happy Birthday, Theresa, and may all your epiphanies this year be filled with joy.
Thanks, Andrea! Longer every day, yes! And who can complain about the nights when the stars are so bright and Orion stands above our house with his belt glowing…?
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a truly meaningful epiphany somewhere along the way as this coming year unfolds.
Thanks, Joe. A quiet one, with a walk in the snow and a bottle of French Chablis in the fridge…
Happy Birthday Theresa! An excellent day for a birthday: early in a fresh, new year, the days gradually lengthening, the earth slowly beginning to warm…
Thanks, Michael! Here’s to the days lengthening…
Bonne anniversaire from France (I see that we are fellow Capricorns.) Know, Theresa, that 2017 is predicted to be an excellent year for Cappies.
Thanks, Juliet! Many years ago I was in France in January and loved having Kings Cake for my birthday! (My hosts made sure I had the slice with the bean…)