What if January were a person? How disturbing for her to be stuck between Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Sure, she owns New Year’s Day, but, who remembers that? The real fun belongs to December 31st and her wild parties. By January 1st at 12:05 AM, all the kisses are delivered. People are ready to turn in, if they stayed up that long. Nope, January has a right to be a little bitter.
If all the months had a party January would surely pick August as a BFF. They could sit together in their extremes and complain about the world. Bitter cold and outrageous heat. Things covered in snow or burnt up by the blistering summer, January and August are no one’s favorite unless, of course, you have a birthday in those months. August has no major events either. In both months, teachers and students return to school and the serious business of learning. The fun and games are saved for the good months.
August and January would criticize February for hearts, April, May and June for Bunnies, blooms, and new life, June for brides, July for fireworks and September for the apple harvest. October would get their scorn for Halloween and November for turkey dinners. Of course, they would vent about December until they could say no more. Christmas is the holiday they would never get over. I’d guess all the months might throw a little shade at December’s good fortune.
Unforgiving, it seems January always has a chip on her shoulder. Her days are filled with blizzards and bitter cold, unless you live somewhere warm, like Florida or Arizona. Then, the high season of the snowbirds is in full swing. Oy Vey, the misery of it all. Through her 31 days, she’s a pessimistic month.
If you’re a history buff, perhaps she might be your favorite, with MLK’s holiday thrown in for good measure.
Really, she’s made of 31 days in which people pack up Christmas and find Valentine Cards for their loved ones. A middle month. A time when Americans begin to worry about new tax rules and old tax write offs. One in which Christmas bills come due.
Too early to start spring cleaning, even the house get’s kicked around a little. Yards are ignored. Nothing grows outside. Winds blow and snow falls, while no one ever talks about how romantic the snow is in January. They are counting down the days until the spring thaw. Everyone is tired of winter by the end of January.
If January were a person, I wouldn’t choose her for a friend. Stubborn and detached, she’s set in her ways. Not fun and free like December when any day is a great one to share a little brunch with neighbors. January brunches need to be planned around temperatures and icy roads.
Colds seem to linger longer in January than in other months. There’s no reason to get better quickly. It’s too nice to lounge under the covers and practice lazy.
For me, January holds sad memories of the worst kind. It was January that stole my first love away from me when we were only kids. Death on a Wednesday for a boy that just wanted to wrestle. RIP – Derrick Ray Wilson (7/30/1955 – 1/31/1973).
However, she does hold memories of the best kind, as well. On sunny, spring-like January afternoon in 1988, VST and I married in front of family and friends. No real reason January was chosen except that we didn’t want to wait until February. When you know, you know. When you want to start life with someone you love, you want it to start as soon as possible. January had an opening.
Throughout our years, three precious grandchildren were born to our family in January. Of course, every month gives the gift of new life as the seasons roll along while stealing others away. The rhythm of life isn’t always something that can be explained. It’s a wonderful fact that any month is a perfect time to become a new grandparent.
With her pessimistic and condescending days, January seems to have difficulty letting us go. These past few days have been like cold molasses, dragging on minute by minute. January, in her aloof way, hasn’t been a comfort as winter is brutal here in the high desert of Northwestern Nevada. Even the mildest winter day, as we experience now, begins with frigid mornings and a frost covered world.
I hope your experiences with our friend January have been a bit more positive than mine. Miss Firecracker will begin construction on her lovely home as she winters in California. January might just have a better attitude in California, with every season a little lovelier there. Miss Firecracker’s attitude has definitely improved as new life in a new home is exploding with possibilities!
Wherever you are, find something to do that brings you happiness. The world needs more happiness to grow inside each of us, one heart at a time. Even if it’s STILL January.
More tomorrow.