The scraggly arms of the tree out my window rise like a beggar
beckoning the sun
the frost from the night before still dances on her fingertips
come closer, come closer, she pleads
the sun hides behind a cloak of gray
she is timid this time of year
walking in the woods without her sometimes feels like
holding ones breath
the piercing air is full of a silent weight
life is hidden
frozen
buried
still
this winter is long
but i lift my head towards the February sky and i smile
the earth can’t hold her breath forever
the sun will come out
the forests will ring
and maybe all is not dead
maybe all is at peace
February. The shortest month of the year. At times, it can feel like a hiccup; annoying and unnecessary, causing you to just grin and bear it until its over. It’s the time of year when its easy to struggle with cabin fever, boredom, and unmet expectations.
I get it. I really don’t like having to put on gloves, a hat, two layers, a windbreaker, and my yak-tracks every time I want to go out on a run just so I don’t slip and die or freeze to death. It’d be really nice to feel the warm sun on my skin instead of the endless cold snaps of the winter wind. I miss the woods. And some of those new years resolutions I’d set out to accomplish in January, well, lets just say they still aren’t accomplished.
But although it can be easy to get lost in a great sea of pessimism when you open the front door every day and come face to face with a wall of freezing air (especially for those living in the Midwest), spring is getting closer no matter what Punxsutawney Phil tells us tomorrow.
Despite it being damp and dreary, February still has a lot going for it.
Here’s five reasons to love the “hiccup” month:
1. January is over!!
Ok, ok, for all your January lovers, I’m sorry to burst your bubble. But January is my least favorite month of the year. Its cold. Its gray. And since Christmas and Christmas break are over, its usually a kind of depressing wake up call to reality. That being said, after getting back into the groove in January, we’re now ready to face February in full swing!
2. Valentines Day!
I know this holiday is full of controversy, as many of the holidays are. Yes, it kind of sickens me too that we start seeing red hearts full of chocolates and giant teddy bears out in the stores the day after Christmas. But Valentines Day doesn’t have to be a fake, predictable holiday designed completely around commercialism and romance. It’s a bright day in the midst of a gray season and it gives you an excuse to pull out your craft box, eat some chocolate and tell the people in your life how much they mean to you. I for one, never want to hold back from doing that.
3. National Chocolate Covered Nut Day
Yes, you heard me. National chocolate covered nut day is February 25th, and if that’s not a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Also included in February is national bubble gum day, national pizza day, national organ donor day and national banana bread day! Check them all out at the official national calendar site here.
4. More Sunlight!
Although slow, every day the sun stays out just a little longer and by March 20th the the length of daylight will have increased by almost two full hours since February 3! Take heart! The snow will met, the sun will come out, and green grass will emerge once again. Spring is on its way!
5. The year is still new.
It doesn’t matter that you aren’t working out 4 times a week like you resolved to in the beginning of January. It doesn’t matter that you’ve only read 1 book off your list of 50 that you want to read this year. Every day is a chance to start again. The Lords mercies are new every morning and his love for you is steadfast and sure, no matter what you do or don’t do. It doesn’t matter if its January 1st, February 1st, or July 31st, every day is an opportunity to make a new goal, or work on an old one. Gods grace abounds, his love never fails, and the possibilities he has for you are endless!
So happy first day of February.
Instead of clenching your teeth and just bearing through this month, embrace it.
Be grateful for the hiccup month.
