This was interesting:
The Word of the Day for Jan 06 is:

epiphany \ih-PIH-fuh-nee\ (noun)

1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi to Jesus at Bethlehem
*2 : a sudden striking understanding of something
-From www.m-w.com

At times the past blows over me like the Santa Ana winds which now batter southern California buildings, street signs and trees, a relentless buffet, tearing up all familiarity with a reminder of things once gone:

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?

There was a time when all was ahead - I recollect a conversation with a friend today:
"Nah, we've still got time. How old are you now?"
She frowned at me as if I had just invoked some cruel ongoing joke.
"I'm 26."
This meant nothing to me until we went further into conversation.
"Well, I'm still living in denial."
"I've already been there, Jon. Now is my time to decide. Last year I was in denial. This year, something has to happen. I have to take some direction."
I stared at her and wondered. I think I envied her and pitied her at the same time; so distraught, yet so determined; resolute in her disillusionment and completely ready to plunge into the unknown beyond.
Not all stories are sad, nor do all dark moments capture the essence of what is.
This is life. Real life. The light all around which casts a shadow on pockets of existence; the sunrise just beyond the hill before dawn's final revelation;