The January Effect

I'm all grown up but snow still makes me bundle up and laugh out loud walking through it.

Are you noticing the January effect as I am? No, I am not scurrying to invest more in the stock market - the usual meaning of that term. I’m referring to the effect January has on moods and outlooks, at least on mine. Dictionary compilers should concoct a definition that addresses it. In the winter blues race, January 2021 will cross the finish line way ahead of previous ones in my experience. At this stage of my boomer hood, time is zooming by anyway, so I work at capturing moments to savor rather than rushing them through, but this month can go ahead and scoot on out. I’ve had enough.

During my childhood, it was different. I had new toys and books to occupy my time while Mom slyly removed some of the old ones. Snow brightened the days. We built crooked snowmen, had snowball fights, ate snow cream, went sledding. My dad, my brother and both Popos have January birthdays, so we created cards and planned surprises. And I could go back to school, my favorite place!

As a grownup and a momma, January days were still bright - not as often brighter by snow, though - because I could play with our son. The return to school - as a teacher rather than as a student - was bittersweet. It was still a favorite place, but home with baby was better.

Older still, and grateful, I find myself enduring Januaries. Changes in routine to accommodate resolutions quickly revert back to old ways, colorful holiday decorations disappear, outside time is curtailed and skies seem drearier. A good old-fashioned time-stopping snow would be such fun for a change! My snowman would still lean, Scooter the cat might not appreciate snowballs, and my sledding days may never return, but I would certainly enjoy some snow cream again! What a super diversion an eight-to-twelve-inch snowfall would be from virus and vaccine, conflict and division, sorrow and loss.

*Amidst pending sorrows on the morrow,

*A grandchild’s smile, a glorious gleam of sunshine, a playful kitten’s antics, distract heavy hearts.

*Glimmering memories mold shimmering moments, awaken joy, lighten a soul’s burden.

*Prayerful moments empower the distraught, multiply kinship, diminish fear.

*Music enhances, relaxes minds and bodies to embrace the precious present.

*Words written or spoken work wonders with the weary,

*Silence stills struggles, stirs spirits to share kindness and awe

*Amidst pending sorrows on the morrow.