Monday, January 2, 2012

Cloudy, with a Touch of Rain


Well, friends, the magic is almost gone. Today the tree comes down and the Christmas decorations get put away. My last child goes home, and the new year begins. I admit to feeling a little melancholy, but that's not unusual for me. I always experience a bit of let down when the season ends. Then I perk up and make a few resolutions!

Yes, despite my Saturday Centus poem to the contrary, I do like to start the new year out with a resolution or two. Historically, these seem to fall in the areas of physical and spiritual fitness. In truth, I rarely manage to carry them through for more than a few weeks (I usually start to fade in March or April), but I try not to beat myself up about that. Hope springs eternal, and I usually get up another head of steam and keep trying. Hey, no one's perfect, right?

Todd is going home sick, a major drag because classes start tomorrow. He'll probably hit the walk-in clinic for an antibiotic before he leaves (no easy task because he's allergic to most of them). Even the trusty Z-pack gives him hives. I just wish the poor guy had a couple more days at home so I could see him on the mend before he takes off and starts abusing his body with too much study and not enough sleep. I'm beginning to think medical school is hazardous to your health!

Speaking of health hazards, I'm sick too...not with a cold, but with a kidney infection. Having had one before, I recognize the signs all too well. In fact, I will probably wind up accompanying Todd to the clinic today, as I suspect my doctor will not be in the office. Not that going to her is any cheaper. Our deductible is so high these days that we don't even meet it by December.

Let's see, what else could I complain about? Sheesh, maybe I should have titled this post, "Woe is Me" or "My Cup Runneth Empty." I think the specter of having to box up all these decorations is hanging over me a bit too heavily, and the only cure I know for that is to get up and get it done. With that in mind, I will sign off and put you out of your misery (or my misery, as it were). But not before I write a little poem to send me on my way...

One melancholy sight to see:
a brittle, barren Christmas tree.

The lights that twinkled are no more,
pine needles lie upon the floor,

the beads and balls have all come down,
and every branch droops to a frown.

Removed, it leaves an empty space,
but hope steps in and holds a place...

a lingering whiff of forest air,
a memory for all to share,

a sense of loved ones gathered there.

∞§∞

Today I will be savoring the scent of leftover pine
and pining (just a little) for my family.

Happy New Year!
{it will be}

=)

21 comments:

anitamombanita said...

Ugh, my friend. Kidney infection sounds serious. Hope u get that taken care of quickly. I'm in bed catching up on blog reading on my iPhone and a box of Kleenex. Achoo! Happy (healthy) new year!!

Unknown said...

Our tree comes down today too. I am going to miss it.

Unknown said...

Yuk! I have to take my tree down, too. Cute poem!

Unknown said...

Yuk! I have to take my tree down, too. Cute poem!

Ames said...

It always makes me feel melancholy too. But I took mine down 27th. I'm ready to move forward without resolutions.

Sometimes when people drink orange juice and take antibiotics they get a rash. And also if they go out in the sun they get a rash too. Just sayin'~Ames

KIMAGURE inspi' NAOKI (TRAPNEST) said...

It's quite a great blog this of yours!! I love the way you write, and I plan to do so on my own, but in Spanish (mostly). I can say that your blog it's an inspiration to mine, there's so many things to write about and you know it! I'm glad i found this blog of yours, which wouldn't be anything wiouth your talent!! Thanks for sharing your point of view with the world!

Please get well soon of your kidney infection, which I've also experienced along with kidney stones and I know they're such a pain. Thank God you have the most effective medicine for any deceases I've heard of: Writing and reading! A great mix that always work (One billion people around the world can't be wrong!), and even tho I'm a prose fan, I really enjoy your poems!! Maybe one day I'll write one of my own... who knows. I invite you to my "Tea Time BLog" I'll soon add a translation gadget so I might be understood by foreing people... Hope to read more about you Mrs. Sue Granny!!

With my most sincere respects,

Luis

P.D: It was not supposed to look like a letter, but I couldn't help it... sorry!! LOL

yaya said...

I'm taking everything down today too. It looks more like Christmas outside today with some snow falling than it did when I decorated! I hope you and Todd get to feeling better. Kidney infections are the pits. I had one many years ago and I truly sympathize with you. Now, back to my undecorating...sigh...

Wendy said...

Christmas was down the day after. All of it.

I hope you aren't in too much pain. Kidney infections are a pain in the back!

Not ready to make any goals - I'm waiting to hopefully finish our New Year's tradition of bowling.

CB said...

I am also feeling the melancholy today and I feel like a big blob.

A kidney infection. Oh my does not sound good. I hope you get that taken care of pronto.

My stuff will come down later this week - little by little, just the way it went up.

Pondside said...

Sue - nooooooo! I was at the clinic on New Years Eve, and went out that night to dine and dance well-fortified with Cipro for.....a kidney infection. I'm allergic to penicillin and to sulpha, so I always get the big gun antibiotic. What a way for us to start our jubilee year - I can hardly believe that we are in the same harness!

Stacy said...

Happy New Year, after the kidney infection is done running its course. Those hurt!

We took ours down 12/26 for all the reasons you stated in your poem...pine needles everywhere!

Unknown said...

I'm taking down Christmas today too. I've been at it for 5 hours and took a break to eat and get on the computer. I actually lit a pine scented candle to help me get through the sadness of putting it all away. I can't believe how fast it went by this year. I just don't know if I will be up for all the work again in 11 months though!
I hope your kidney infection gets well soon. Those can be painful! We have a horrible deductible too. Sometimes I wonder why we did that but I guess one year it will pay off.
Guess I better hit the Christmas decor again...

Momza said...

I hope by the time you get around to reading this comment of mine, that you are feeling better, Sue. Take it easy! You deserve it!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I feel so much the same way. I always shed a tear when the Christmas stuff comes down. I love the holiday season so much. The smells, the feeling the sparkle. It has never gotten old for me.

I hope you get feeling better and Todd too. We were sure busy in the ER today with college kids coming back from break and sick already. Classes start here tomorrow too.

Amy said...

I really have a hard time dwelling on the moment. I wish I could do it better. But I am always on to the next thing the second something ends. Case in point, The Christmas tree usually comes down Christmas night. Bad, I know, but I love moving on to new adventures and new things. Although saying goodbye to family never is fun.
I hope you and your son feel better! I have a nasty cold and a few other things, so I understand completely. Blech.

karen said...

I'm thinking that the kidney infection is NOT improving your mood! I had one once many years ago and it made me really sick, so please take care of yourself. We got all of our Christmas stuff down and put away yesterday and today. The one plus to the whole chore is seeing your house look a little more zen and fresh. I do enjoy that. I love the glitz and MORE of it all, but in January I just love to see my seashells and hornets nest on the mantel again. And nothing else. I even cleaned out a closet and organized a nice pile for the next DI giveaway. Hope you and Todd feel better - Zach got sick a bit too in med school - being in the hospital a lot will do that. There are sick people there! Maybe if he fortifies with some good vitamins like Juice Plus? (They don't have time to eat right either...)

Grandma Honey said...

You just barely got rid of your cough and now you have an infection. But you seem more concerned about Todd and his health. You are such a Mom! Everyone in our house was sick except for me and one of my DILs. I was the same as you....worrying about the boys getting well in time for school this week. No matter how old my kids get, I want to be able to take care of them when they're sick...that part of mothering never goes away.

Brian Miller said...

nice...i love that smell...it is sad to see the magic go back in the box though...hope you got on over to the clinic and got that squared away...

LeAnn said...

I feel exactly like you; a little sad that the holiday
s over. I will start the take down tomorrow. My
y sweet husband took me on a much needed date today. Regretfully I didn't feel great through the month. I had a cold and had to take time out for PT. Get well soon and extra prayers for you. I loved your poem.

Terra said...

there is always a let down day after the holidays I think you had yours, but a beautiful poem was born from it so it couldn't be all bad!

Em said...

I'm always glad to put it all away, does that make me a grinch??