January 2022 Musings

It’s Gonna Snow! 

Happy New Year, friends! It is, unbelievably, a whole new year. I don’t think any of us will miss last year. And most of us don’t dare to dream that this year will be any different. Collectively, as a society, as humans on this spinning planet, we are all exhausted. We have all experienced trauma from this global pandemic in some way. Or in many ways. It would be easy to give in to pessimism and expect the worst from the coming year. It would be even easier to succumb to apathy and simply not care one way or the other what happens next. What I have been musing about this month is how we can keep that from happening, and how we might go about staying afloat when those waves of fear and anxiety and depression threaten to crash over us and destroy all hope for better times ahead.
     If you visit me today in my old farmhouse in rural North Carolina, we could sit down to a steamy mug of tea or coffee. We could try to carry on an intelligent conversation and get to know each other. It would be difficult, though, and that is because my two youngest children are bouncing around the house in anticipation of an event that will happen tonight. You might try to smile and be polite and act like my kids aren’t completely out of control, but you will hear one thing shouted over and over-
     “It’s gonna snow!”
     Now, if you are from somewhere where it snows all winter long, you won’t be able to understand what the excitement is all about. You know that snow just makes life even more complicated than it already is. Southern mamas know that too, but our kids don’t. Here in North Carolina, we only get one good snow a winter, if that. Our kids live for getting out there and making a snowman and sledding and having snowball fights, and then coming in and warming up with a big cup of hot cocoa. The snow will only last one day, but children will enjoy every second of it. And that’s what got me thinking.
     What if we try to do the same thing this year? What if we try to look forward to the simple things in our lives with the single- mindedness of a child?  Warm pancakes covered in melted butter and drizzled with sticky sweet maple syrup, a hot cup of cinnamon apple tea, a good book- maybe a favorite old one faded and torn but as comforting as an old friend. Those of us who write can spend cold, grey days curled up under afghans creating characters and stories that carry us far away on grand adventures. Some of you might look forward to painting or crocheting or creating art that makes you feel alive. Walking, exercising, cooking, the possibilities are endless. Whatever you choose to look forward to, try to look forward to it like an excited child when snow is on the way!
     I know it’s hard. We’re all scared for ourselves and our loved ones. We’re scared for the world that seems to have gone mad. Sometimes all we can do is get through the day or even the next hour. And that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself, and take your time. But when you feel strong enough, begin to look forward and maybe even dream a new dream. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2022, and I will definitely be looking forward to spending more time with you!

                                                                                             Love,
                                                                                                Stac