February
I woke up after 8am on Sunday morning.
By my standards, I’d slept in, which I don’t usually enjoy because I feel like I’ve wasted the best part of the day, but on this particular Sunday, I didn’t wake up with the usual list of objectives in mind for once.
On this day, I awoke restored, refreshed and hopeful. January was behind me. I knew the minute my eyes opened that it was Feb. 1.
A new month. A fresh start.
The sun’s beams were cascading through the window as solid beams of light, the kind that show the particles of space and time, life’s dust dancing across my bedroom. Magnificent.
It’s important to marvel at these moments, because they are fleeting. Always celebrate the light.
A new month meant I could officially slam the door on the month of January, twist the deadbolt lock and leave it in the past. Good riddance. You couldn’t pay me to live through January 2026 again (well, you could actually, but the price would be immense and I’d spend it all recklessly before March).
January was heavy. Between the horrible headlines of the outside world, to the challenges in my inner world (a reminder that when my tank is empty, I cannot fill up others’), January was a sucker punch.
Then the unexpected loss of someone I loved, followed by the waves of sadness that hit you when a song comes on the radio and you can’t cry in your car because it hasn’t quite defrosted and it’s -30, and you have to get where you’re going dry-eyed because the never-ending responsibilities make no concessions for any of these problems. There is no pause button on life.
It’s kind of like the snow. You can expect some of it, being Canada and winter, and you shouldn’t complain, because you’re Canadian and you love winter, but you’re never quite prepared for all of it to dump on you at once, and then repeat it a few more times, like it just won’t let up, and yet, you still have to drive in it because snow days do not apply to you. January 2026 was one metaphoric storm after another.
I hope you can’t relate. I truly do. I hope you took a vacation. I hope you did something fun in the snow, like making snow angels. I hope you got good news. I hope you celebrated a win of your own definition. I hope you aren’t freaked out by world events because you know worry changes nothing. I hope February brings you more good things.
Heck, I even hope the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl, because that will also have a significant impact on my February. Since they are playing on my home field (ugh), I’m wishing good luck to my beloved Carpenter’s team. Next year, I’ll dislike the Seahawks again with all the pent-up passion from my failed year.
But this Sunday? I’ll wear my 49ers gear to support the NFC West and cheer alongside him.
February is our reward for surviving January. It brings a long weekend with the romance of Valentine’s Day (ha, right) and Family Day packed into one. Tell me that it isn’t ironic?
Suffice it to say there will be fancy chocolate. I know this because I’ll buy it myself.
February, I think I love you already. Let’s have some fun.