Oh January, you are an enigma…..

I think I forget this every year. January is not my cup of tea. It’s not the cold, snow or winter weather conditions. I am okay with that. I love the Midwest and it is my heart home. I love the soups and the hot tea, the blankets and extra time to read or craft in the evenings since it gets dark so early. 

It’s the slow start and the inconsistent scheduling at a time when everything inside me wants to start fresh and do better that gets me every year. My brain needs order and consistency in the outer world to help bring focus and intentionality to my inner world. 

But January starts off on the heels of a two week hiatus from normal life. It rolls in with decorations that need to be put away, snow days, sick days, tournaments and Monday holidays. It’s the mullet of months. Business in the front, party in the back. The only routine is no routine. 

With the Christmas bills rolling in, suddenly every store is putting out great end of season sales. And it is still, very much technically, the season for the sweaters and boots and coats they are slashing prices on. Valentines Day is popping up with all the cute hearts and fun treats and my roller coaster brain is hitting the twists and turns hard with no consistency in our week to save me. 

I read somewhere about putting a note in your Christmas trim box with things you want to remember next year as you enter the holidays. I think I will put a big piece of paper in the Advent wreath box that reminds me to not forget January will not be the month I get my act together in 2025. 

With that being said, I feel I have nothing more worthwhile to share with you today than a post I received in my inbox this morning. Melissa Edgington has been blogging for a long time. Our daughter Rachel sent me one of her posts a number of years ago. As I read her bio today, I realize that her little family that had a toddler when I started reading her material has grown up quite a bit. 

She doesn’t write a ton, but when she does, it is profound. She shares her heart and thoughts in deep and grace filled ways. Today her post hit home with me. While she is two seasons behind me as they have their first born off to college, her words resonated deeply within me. 

I often view the current styles when I am shopping and ponder what is still acceptable for me and what is a ship that has sailed. But it’s more than clothing. It is the essence of being a woman at each age and stage and then knowing that a season has passed. There is a kind of grief, even as we learn to embrace the new phase.

 I love her words and I hope you do, too. I highly recommend subscribing to her blog so you don’t miss her posts when she does write. Here is her post: https://yourmomhasablog.com/2024/01/14/aging-peacefully/

I know I have a few male readers on this site. I would encourage you to read Melissa’s post as I think you probably can relate to it on your own level. It will also tender your heart towards the women in your life and maybe give you some insight into the workings of our hearts and minds <3

Blessings on each of you today. 

You are dearly loved <3