what i love about january

hospice workers know that if someone is close to heaven, they will likely go in january. life experience has proved this true both in the past (as i remember memorial dates for loved ones) and as current friends and family struggle with health problems. i typically have braced myself against this month, watching the ball drop with confliction: happy anticipation of freshness mixed with sheer dread. negativity, however, is just not my style. i really do believe there is a positive way to frame everything and try to use this in my teaching style as well (thank you so much, sophie, for not rolling over evan on the floor, sticking your tongue out and screaming at the top of your lungs, i really appreciate that i know you can join us for this art project, thank you so much!) so this year, i am making a similar attempt at reframing: a list of things i love about january.

in january grape roots grow an inch a day
it's the anniversary of my book club (58 books in 2011!)
i like the sound a windmill makes in winter wind
the springs bubble up and sing a lot with the extra rain
new fuzzy socks
imagining myself curled up like a polar bear in hibernation
white christmas lights are still up
i can keep my snowshoes out for another few months
days are starting to get longer again

i will think upon these things