Dearest January…
Why do you sit so heavily on my chest like an elephant’s voluptuous bottom or the pain of unrequited love in a teenage girl’s heart?
You come in with such optimism and hope for a new life full of possibility, but then you take away the sun and the blue sky and laugh in my face as if mocking me for having hope in the first place.
You have given me gifts, don’t misunderstand me. You gave me my mother and best friend at the very first of your 31-day parade, for which I am forever grateful. Still, you also took away a friend because your dreary skies and hopeless presence shattered something already so delicate to start.
I know I am not an easy creature on the best of days, but the sadness put upon me, and so many others, by your presence is as potent as rat poison is to an unassuming wife in a Dateline special.
I did my best, hid, and hibernated like an overly stuffed black bear hidden in a den of countless movies, coca colas, and tea.
Now you are coming to your end, and I must emerge back into the world, a ghost rising from her cozy grave to wander and float amongst all the other earthlings.
I am not alone in this.
I will try to laugh a little, smile more often, and continue to conduct myself under my doctor’s orders.
While I know this isn’t your fault, I have to say I am happy to see you go…
P.S. I am sure you are lovely for those who like to ski and whatnot. No hard feelings, ok?
Sincerely,
Michelle Lee Stuart
Lucy bounds through the snow as an army of squirrels make their way down from the trees, ready to exact their revenge….(see below for the actual attack)
Oh my goodness, Michelle! I know that you are not alone - so many people curse January. I don't know when it happened that January became my favorite month of the year. I know I know, how twisted is that? And I live in New England. I think it started because of holiday overwhelm and I'm so disorganized that when January 1st rolled around I would sigh - nothing going on. Just the way I like it. That was when I was raising a family. Now I'm older and live in solitary bliss and I'm literally mourning the end of January as you are kicking her butt out the door! Just like I didn't want to hear about the holidays before Halloween, I cringe when I hear gardening talk in January. We're all so blissfully different. :) xo
Michelle you know my pain! January is the best month, my family and even my dog are born this month but wow, by the end of it I am the black bear u discribed. Lately I have happily noticed the days growing longer. Maybe if we didnt fall back this miserable dark month wouldnt be so blah....