The Thursday of Mid-January 2011

Well.

We have made it to Mid-January.

It is grey - bleak - and Christmas celebrations

are winding down,

the New Year is 13 days old,

and I read a random fact that next Monday is considered

the depression of all Mondays of the year.

How Cheery, eh?

*

So what to do?

I took a walk and took pictures.

Came back, ate, drank warm tea

and am listening to Brahms.

Cleo came near for a quick Cleo hug.

I was happy to see the remaining colours of red and gold;

defiant leftovers from the holiday season.

*

What else do we do during this time?

I drank my fish oil and took my morning vitamins.

Worked on cover letters.

This is a huge struggle this week - each job I am applying to has

emotional implications for me

that I can't go into but only allude to.

*

The snow and grey is here,

but there is red and gold remaining...

I visited my favourite tree.

I do love my trees.

It really spoke of mid-winter grey

to see my tree without sun or leaves.

But it's beautiful strong trunk and beautiful twisting limbs

were there to greet me as usual.

I may get a temporary contract doing data entry.

It would pay the bills and keep me going

till April or so.

*

I think I was not selected for a second interview with

the out of province job.

I was kind of bummed about this but not fully;

the idea of moving and starting this job

was really overwhelming.

*

I am reminded of a story in the book on Elder Thaddeus

in which a woman comes to him

barely able to walk and supported by two friends.

He speaks with her and tells her she is too depressed;

that her husband will come back,

that she must SING...

sing to her husband, SING...

and he promises to go to church to do some prayers for her

and she looks at him

and he at her

and he tells her go home...

and soon the woman who had come barely walking

begins to RUN and runs back,

healed...

*

How this struck a cord with me;

We must SING. We must FIGHT. We must ask God for His help

and remind ourselves that

God is with us

right now,

with us;

that we are never abandoned.

And we must see every day the goodness of God

and the beauty He puts forth...

We are weak

but yet God puts gardens in our path,

in all seasons.

Let us pray for each other,

that we can Sing.