January has to be the most disliked month of the 12 in the year. Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by time, seasons, weather. Even now, the passage of time in particular fascinates me. It’s often bittersweet; at other times it’s purely sad and yet at other times it’s joyful. The passage of time marks anniversaries and achievements. Likewise, it tells of missed opportunities and dreams unrealized. January is  often a time of fresh starts for people. The whole year lies ahead, full of unwritten pages, adventures to be had, goals to be met. Where do I want to be one year from now – January 2022? Of course, it’s not guaranteed. In fact, I’m often reminded of how fleeting life is. So many people in my city die senselessly when just driving to and from on their regular commutes or via murder even. But, I’m amazed at how fast my life has gone already. I remember being in high school just wishing time in one class or another would hurry up and go by. Now I look back and realize that was 15 plus years ago. I jog by my old high school once a week or so and wonder how all my old friends are doing. They’re scattered throughout the city and the United States now, busy carrying on with life. I remember dreaming of my future husband. I’ve been married to him now for nearly eight years. Even college is sinking more and more into the past. As I think of time and accomplishments, I think about what I do want this year: to study the Bible, to run a 5k race (and maybe even PR!), to write something, to live more, to walk more with my husband, to get better at my job, to stay in shape, to progress at jiu jitsu. 2022 will come and I do want to be better this time next year than I am now. Whatever that may mean – knowing God more, being faster, being better at jiu jitsu & writing, etc.

I started by saying that January is the most disliked month. I digressed a little. January is the coldest month of the year where I live (Norfolk, VA). And it’s not even that bad compared to most places. But today was. I got up when it was dark out and did my work out in the garage. Then I prepped and went to work, driving in the clouds. I work in a sterile office. By the time I left work at 4:30 pm, it was drizzly and cold, nearly dark out. It was cloudy. By the time I got home and walked the dog, it was darn near freezing out. The rain was heavier and I was cold. When running yesterday, my nose dripped nearly the whole time. The skin on my face is peeling off (in part because I’ve been using some skin care products with salicylic acid in them). My thumb has a crack in it. I feel tired despite sleeping 10 hours a night on the weekends (I’d sleep more during the work week if I could, but you know, there’s things to do).

But what propels me through January is the hope that spring will come. I take note of the birds even this time of year. Cardinals in particular like to make their appearance. I notice the bright red ones often hanging out in the naked branches of the trees in our backyard. And I take notice of the fact that each day the sunlight stays out just a little longer. I also think back to this past July, the hottest one on record. Heat indexes hit 110 at times. The waters of the Atlantic were so refreshing then. Also, there was the joy of plucking a giant zucchini from our garden. The seasons of life.

Time doesn’t stand still. Neither does the bleakness of January or the blaze of July. Our garden is dead now but it will come alive again. The sun will shine again. I’ll swim in the ocean again. Just like one day maybe I’ll see my old high school friends again. For now, I’ll savor my time with my husband and my dog. I’ll live in the day that is. January is special I suppose in that it helps us reflect. We reflect on the year past and on the year ahead. It’s a time to re-evaluate and set some new goals. It possesses cold, dreary days. It exists to turn the calendar, or the page in a sense. It has a hard job as the runner up after the joyous times of Thanksgiving and Christmas. But it serves its purpose, like that seemingly cruel parent that tells a child to get into shape (when really the parent is loving that child) or the friend who suggests one outfit for you over another. January tells us to try again or to keep trying or to try something new. It makes us appreciate the scorch of the July sun. And for all these things, I thank you, January. ~