Farewell, dear January...

January has been watered with many a private tear

and strengthened through many a private prayer!

Thank-you, everyone who has been part of this army

of casting our cares on God!

January granted some much needed down-time,

though not totally by choice but due to 

a variety of cold and flu bugs... 

January has given me a start in tackling

some long-procrastinated tasks;

 organizing-purging-cleaning

January has thrilled my snow-loving 'inner child' with heaps of it!!

(good, old-fashioned winter in Ontario)

January always makes me extra-thankful

for warm homes and simple, wholesome food

gathered in glorious summer...

Prepping veg frittata and sweet-potato fries (an air-fryer fav!)

January has blessed me tenderly,

 with many words and mementos of love

from thoughtful friends and family

January is such a wonderful way to begin

a New Year; its slower pace

(if we discipline ourselves to make it so)

grants us opportunities to reflect 

on days/God's faithfulness past

and reevaluate our goals for hope's ahead.

Yesterday Victoria (daughter)

remarked how January flew by!!

yet, Christmas seems so long ago!

I agree!!

Eccles.3:1

To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

so,

Farewell, dear January...

Farewell, sweet January days 

Of earth tucked beneath stars and lace...

Of, 'oh, how can I count the ways'

I love your slower, simpler pace...

Of home-sweet-home contentment's blaze

Of tea-pot where happiness steeps...

Of awnings that command awed gaze

As heavens crown snow-swaddled sweeps

Farewell, sweet January days 

Of earth tucked beneath stars and lace

Of, 'oh, how can I count the ways

I love your slower, simpler pace

Of home-sweet-home contentment's blaze

Of tea-pot where happiness steeps

Of awnings commanding awed gaze

As heavens crown snow-swaddled sweeps

Farewell, dear January lull

The threshold of another year

If the Lord wills, of push and pull

Of laughter's vim and heartache's tear

  Where birth and death will lend life's best;

Love's utter joy and utter grief

Where Abraham's God still will test

Faith's untried measure of belief  

Cheers, January, bittersweet  

While Old Man Winter huffs and blows

We find a comfy window seat

To watch five-star bird-feeder shows

While wiggling toes in cozy socks

And giggling at bickering breeds

Where a flurry of feathers rocks

 Tables replete with supplied needs 

Farewell, fond January hours

Farmer and gardener's respite 

Before a fresh season of flow'rs

And fields to plant, awe and excite 

Farewell, fleet, fickle afternoon

Still twilight's early, easy prey

Before we welcome the glad boon

Of February's 'longer day' 

© Janet Martin

Cheers, January, bittersweet  

While Old Man Winter huffs and blows

We find a comfy window seat

To watch five-star bird-feeder shows...