Farewell, dear January...

January has been watered with many a private tearand strengthened through many a private prayer!Thank-you, everyone who has been part of this armyof 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 tacklingsome 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-thankfulfor warm homes and simple, wholesome foodgathered 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 lovefrom thoughtful friends and family January is such a wonderful way to begina New Year; its slower pace(if we discipline ourselves to make it so)grants us opportunities to reflect on days/God's faithfulness pastand reevaluate our goals for hope's ahead. Yesterday Victoria (daughter)remarked how January flew by!!yet, Christmas seems so long ago!I agree!! Eccles.3:1To 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 blazeOf tea-pot where happiness steeps... Of awnings that command awed gazeAs heavens crown snow-swaddled sweeps Farewell, sweet January days Of earth tucked beneath stars and laceOf, 'oh, how can I count the waysI love your slower, simpler paceOf home-sweet-home contentment's blazeOf tea-pot where happiness steepsOf awnings commanding awed gazeAs heavens crown snow-swaddled sweeps Farewell, dear January lullThe threshold of another yearIf the Lord wills, of push and pullOf laughter's vim and heartache's tear  Where birth and death will lend life's best;Love's utter joy and utter griefWhere Abraham's God still will testFaith's untried measure of belief Cheers, January, bittersweet  While Old Man Winter huffs and blowsWe find a comfy window seatTo watch five-star bird-feeder showsWhile wiggling toes in cozy socksAnd giggling at bickering breedsWhere a flurry of feathers rocks Tables replete with supplied needs Farewell, fond January hoursFarmer and gardener's respite Before a fresh season of flow'rsAnd fields to plant, awe and excite Farewell, fleet, fickle afternoonStill twilight's early, easy preyBefore we welcome the glad boonOf February's 'longer day' © Janet Martin Cheers, January, bittersweet  While Old Man Winter huffs and blowsWe find a comfy window seatTo watch five-star bird-feeder shows...