It’s January third already and yet it still doesn’t feel like a brand new year.
Despite the “2013 Year in Review” news clips and the “Predictions for 2014” that are floating around on TV and online, it never really feels like the new year for me until the Christmas decorations are packed away.
Unlike the day the bright ornaments are put up, with an egg nog in hand, carols on the stereo and a crackling fire in the background, the day the decorations come down is without libation, flames or carols. The chore feels more like bidding goodbye to an old friend.
Today was that day. I dragged the bins out of the crawl space, re-packed the decorations, Christmas platters and empty stockings, and then tucked the bins away until next year. The house feels a little empty now and less cheery. It also needs a good cleaning, but I put that off in favour of a late afternoon walk around the yard.
And I’m so glad I took that stroll, because look what I found! The daffodils and sedums are poking their heads out. They won’t venture further until much later in the spring, but just seeing their effort brightened my day.
I hope it brightens yours too. Happy New Year everyone. Spring is just around the corner.
Now, Christmas Eve day is a grown-up day of last-minute wrapping and tidying. It’s the day I prepare the dressing for tomorrow’s turkey and make the cranberry sauce. Then, after the bustling about is done and our family guests are settled in, we’ll drink a nog and share a laugh in the glow of the Christmas tree.