2015 Michaelmas
It’s almost too late to write about Michaelmas, since it was a month ago. Honestly, I’m being pulled in so many directions these days, sometimes it’s all I can do to keep my feet underneath me and pointed forward.
This Michaelmas season brought with it many challenges and opportunities to exercise our courage and grow into our new selves. We got to go deep; we got to fall apart and pick ourselves up again. We got to learn more about our own fears, strengths, compassion, intuition, and capacity for love and forgiveness. We got to shed our old dragon skins and reemerge, shining and tender, into life. And the world keeps on turning …
These photos are from our sons’ school Michaelmas festival, which I delight in writing about year after year.
This year, Asher’s class played the role of the happy villagers of the land, who joyfully dance until the terrifying dragon arrives, disrupting their festivities and scattering them in fear.
The dragon was fearsome and surprisingly quirky—this year’s dragon had a baby dragon with it! 
As you maybe can see, it was a mighty hot day. My little Asher and his third-grade classmates danced beautifully, and their lovely and talented class teacher danced with them.
With courage, pure hearts, strength in community, and Michael’s aid, the dragon was subdued. And the people rejoiced. 
Lucas’s teacher was the town crier. She gave a dramatic performance and brought her considerable gravitas to the role. 
The sixth graders create and man the dragon each year. It is a massive undertaking. The whole school turns out for this festival. It’s unifying and inspiring every time.
The eighth grade class is pretty busy this year with their schoolwork. They had a minor roll in the festival, which was just fine with them.
And with this we ushered in autumn, with all its beauty and contradiction. We faced our fears with renewed vigor and confidence, and we are stronger for it.
