A Solstice Soliloquy. Dad Sets an Example

The days get longer by a minute

Jan 06, 2025

It never fails. Someone always calls me on the day after the winter solstice. Years ago, Dad was the first, chuckling with his confident quip, “Edward, from now on, each day gets longer by a minute.” I loved the call because there was hope behind every upbeat urge like Dad’s. But winter days seem so much longer. Not so. It's a common misconception.

Because of the Earth's tilt and its orbit around the sun, winter days are shorter than summer days. They have fewer daylight hours and less sunlight, which can disrupt our circadian rhythms—the rhythm that controls our sleep/wake cycle. Thus, we feel more tired, and as a result, the days seem longer.

The weather doesn’t help; clouds, rain, and snow make a day dreary. So try to get more sunlight, more physical activity and get in a system for the day, something regular. That includes a sleep schedule. For years, I told patients to get into a regular daily pattern of activity, balancing work and relaxation. “The body loves a system,” I maintained.

But when will those days be noticeably longer? When the winter days dwindle to April, I get an itch to escape the house for longer periods. I want it warm.

December 21st, the first official day of winter, marks the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere, the time when darkness occupies as much as it can before finally giving way to the increasing daylight of spring.

OK, I appreciate the fact that solstices are important astrological events. One cycle ends and another begins. I look to that cycle when I think of baseball; the time that jolts us from dark days to seasonal sounds of hits and mitts, balls and strikes. That long night is over. The sun mounts its comeback, and I see buds and hear birds.

Don’t mistake me. I see plenty of birds these days because I keep our feeders well stocked.

Dad was an optimist. He was a Pisces, a personality defined by an investigational nature and strength. When I read of his sign, I thought, “He is hardly that.” Rather, he had what seemed like a non-inquisitive, predictable routine . . . same meals, same time, daily visit for coffee with friends, same car, same clothes, etc. I was wrong.

We realized in his later years that he was ever ready and willing to try something new and different; travel to Italy’s countryside, different dishes in a restaurant (would you believe octopus?), shopping, a new car, and venturing far and wide to follow the game. Very adaptable, his personality accepted diversions and stresses. It was always better tomorrow. He was passionate about his work and intense in his love of family, so he devoted his time and energy to those things he valued.

So, yes, he fit the Pisces personality well; selfless, always willing to help others, expecting nothing in return.

When he was with us, as the days lengthened and the shadows shortened, we began to look forward to my sons’ baseball games. Every time I saw him, it was --- The days get shorter. --- Yes, Dad, I know. His face brightened when it was game time.

April baseball, when, because the days are longer, one might expect warmer weather. Nope. My Dad and I watched many games wearing ski parkas, gloves, scarves, and caps. We sat, momentarily, on ice-cold, punishing aluminum stands. Back and forth we trekked to the car, turning the engine, blasting the heater, then out again.

“These games are great,” he chuckled. “At least it gets me out of the house.”

“It’s cold. Are you ready to leave?”

“No way!”

Yes, after the 21st, the days lengthen by a minute. We’ll be moving closer to spring. The old leaves are off the trees, making room for the new ones. Soon, Soon.