|Hello, friends, and Happy New Year. This post first appeared here last year. I think it’s appropriate for today, too. I’m itching to edit it; my style has changed slightly since I wrote this. It’ll stand as written, though, as a personal time capsule.
Which is your favorite month of the year? Of course, January is everyone’s best-loved month, right?
Okay, probably not.
Ten or 15 years ago January was last on my list. Back then I didn’t like cold weather, and January just seemed like a bleak, blustery, colorless month that had to be endured. I wondered if a person could get in on the bears’ hibernation deal.
What changed? Maybe it was when I got married in a January wedding. Suddenly there was a permanent bright spot on the calendar that time every year. Also around that time I launched into my transition from a hot-weather loving/cold-weather shunning girl into quite the opposite.
Whatever the reason, I now really like the first month o’ the year. While not my absolute favorite, it does have its charms. Yes, after Christmas and New Year’s, life resumes with the hustle and bustle of daily routines. …But overall, there seems to be a quiet simplicity that hushes the land. A brisk stillness that can be seen in bare tree branches and blankets of snow. It’s as if nature has paused for a moment.
It’s a welcome chance for me to pause as well, reminiscing with a smile about the holidays, being grateful for countless blessings, and feeling hopeful about the time ahead. Maybe that’s also why I’m drinking hot chocolate more often–it’s a chance to warm up and take a moment to stop and just think…often a rarity in our busy days.
(At least that’s the reason I tell myself as I take another sip.) =)
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January 1st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
This is such a beautiful post, Alison. It makes me appreciate the month more…I love that phrase, “…quiet simplicity that hushes the land.” Simply beautiful writing. smiles…
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:48 am
After the holidays, I think we all could use some time to relax. My anniversary is in early January, my birthday later in January, and my daughter’s birthday in early February. For the past few years, I haven’t enjoyed January precisely because I don’t get that “pause” after the rush of November and December. One partial solution has been to stop doing much for my anniversary or my birthday, saving my efforts for my daughter’s birthday. I’ve even considered officially moving my birthday halfway around the calendar to open up some space!
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
January always has seemed cold and somewhat bleak. As you know, I don’t like the cold. However, your writing opens new avenues for thought on the month. Thanks for your insights.
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I’m a love-the-heat-hate-the-cold kind of girl myself. I don’t see that changing any time soon.
But that’s why I live in Phoenix, I guess. With the weather in the seventies this week, I really can’t complain.
January for me is pretty indifferent. I don’t really love or really dislike anything about it. But I agree that the break after the holidays is nice.
January 5th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks for your responses, and happy anniversary, Rosslyn! (whichever day it is) =)
Today is especially cold, and I’m spoiled to be able to work from home. So cozy. Wish I could share a mug of hot chocolate with each of you.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Alison,
I finally found you! (not that you were hiding but sometimes I can’t see donuts through all the holes JK)
I can’t stand the short days and starting December 21 they begin to get longer. So I like January because the days finally begin to look longer.
What a great month to be married in!
I’m with Avily, I’m starting to really not like the cold. I moved to Arizona from Colorado with the intention of going back. I don’t know anymore. There’s nothing like summer in the Rockies, but the rest of the year?
Great post! and happy anniversary
January 7th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I, too, got married in January, some 16 years ago… Where has the time gone?
I really like this article. It’s proof that you can write, and that you can write well.
Speaking of such, hows that book coming?