Another Wednesday night

This one is the last night of Chanukah.
I put the menorah in front of me on the dining room table, and  watched the flames, the melting candles, the twitching whiskers of Mazal the cat who joined me to contemplate the flames from the other end of the table.
At the windows on either side of the front door, the two electric menorahs stand for the last night---one according to Hillel, one to Shammai.
Soon we come to the longest night of the year.  
I pray for the increase of the light, in every sense.  (I suddenly notice the soundtrack in the back of my mind:  the distinct, growly voice of Leonard Cohen, singing "May the lights in the land of Plenty shine on the Truth someday.")
Someday.

This day, the lights are shining from the face of Yotam's Shoshana, and from his face as well, in a photo they sent by email.  I still do not take this for granted. 

Blessings, blessings on the lighting of flame during the darkest nights of the year.