Hoping Forward

It’s a clear COLD Michigan December day. Last night's temps dipped below zero and the trees were bedecked with ice crystals. Beautiful really. And the sound of snow under my boots squeaked with joy when I went out to feed the chickens. I’m a winter girl any day over hot, muggy, sweaty, cranky summer.

The sun is shining, the snow reflects its light. As I sit here warm and cozy gazing at this winter wonderland, it seems (for me) that all should be well with the world.

But honestly, it’s not, is it? It is not all well. I think we could all fill in the blank with our reasons why. Maybe a relationship that’s just too hard, a diagnosis, a death, a loss, or simply sheer exhaustion. It’s not right and we’re just too tired to “hang in there” anymore.

Done. I get it. I see you.

It’s days like today that I think of flower bulbs in the cold dark ground. Frozen. No fight left. Just there, feeling done. What would we say to this fall-planted beauty in disguise? Would we tell her to try harder? Would we encourage her to read bulb-help books? Would we shame her for being frozen?

Or would we tell her something like this: "It's okay to be just where you are. You are doing everything right. Rest. This cold dark season will not last forever. You are not alone and there is beauty coming."

Let's take it easy on ourselves, OK? Pour yourself a cozy cuppa or a cold one. Snuggle in. Phone a friend. It's okay to be just where you are. You are not alone. Beauty is coming.