The winter doldrums are here with a vengeance.
It took all the energy I (didn’t) have to get the kids out the door for Mass yesterday. Grace took over where I was weak, as we pushed past the hassle of finding shoes and dealt with the whining complaints of “But I’m hungry! I need breakfast!” Lucky Francis, right? He got to bring a bag of buns.
(Actually, they were Hawaiian rolls, and we made him wait to eat them until the car ride home.)
(He had already had one, though, unlike the older whining complainers.)
And this Mass–the Mass for the feast of St. Blaise–is one that’s near and dear my heart. Or should I say it’s near and dear my throat? Because I love the blessing of the throat and I loved how the priest bent down with a chuckle to hold the candles against my two-year-old’s neck. That was a picture I should have taken but who takes pictures during Mass? Unless you’ve been, like, asked to?
It’s a picture I’ll hold in my heart instead.
Kind of like this one:
Wait! I actually took this photo.
Everyone’s nose was pink when we returned to the van after Mass, but it felt so SO good to get out of the house and even the complainers wore happy grins. I forget too often that we need to get out, thinking, “Oh, what a cozy day in we’ll have” and then suffering the consequences of my pent-up kids.
It’s not worth it, not when it’s been too many days in a row.
We did the zoo last week with a friend, and that was a life-saver, I’ll tell you.
 |
| There’s a tortoise under there somewhere. |
 |
| Pups separated at birth. |
 |
| It was kinda stinky and muggy in the tropics section, not that we minded the “muggy” part! |
 |
| “Doggie!” said Francis… |
 |
| …as the “doggie” licked his chops. |
Winters are long for kids and wolves.
I’m the mom of a wolf pack and know these things.
This brings me back to this week’s activities, which is more of the same ol’ and not enough new. As someone who’s prone to being seasonally affected, I am seeing signs of depression and I need to beware! Depression has fangs and it will bite. It’s heavy and dark and clouds your judgement.
This is why I’m back to blogging today. Writing (and reaching out) feels good.
It fills my spirit and lifts my Vitamin D-deprived soul.
Today I will try to get out again–the library, perhaps, or the Science Museum. I will phone a friend (or two…or eight…) because I know that the very worst thing is isolation. It’s like the howling of wolves inside my head, baying over and over, “This is just too hard!”
February is hard but we can fight back.
It won’t be long. It’s almost spring.
Hang in there. Spring will come (I assume even in Minnesota). Hugs.
I don't know, Christine. Sometimes Minnesota decides to skip spring and just sends us summer sometime in June. ; )
I pray the sun is peeking out today for you also. These winter days in the upper Midwest are not easy, but I know that to see the sunshine even for just a few minutes during the day does much to lift my spirits. Your children are beautiful, Margaret! I haven't commented on your blog in a long time – but read it often (along with facebook) and I so enjoy seeing/ reading about your family. You do so much – with your words and photography – to lift my spirits on days when I need it. Thank you!
We need to go for beer and pizza again! That would certainly boost my spirits, although today's sunshine really helped and I can't have beer OR pizza these days. ; )
Know that you are not alone. Everyone who lives in Minnesota knows exactly what you are talking about. God bless! Ann
God bless you, Ann. Thanks for the comment.
You are doing great to be proactive in the battle with the doldrums of February! Thank God for the sun shining brightly today on that pretty new-fallen snow! Enjoy your outing … wherever you go! And if you need to call a friend, you can always call me!
It was pretty today, wasn't it? We ended up staying home (well, except for a somewhat lackluster outing to the chiropractor, no offense to him, of course) and so the library & Science Museum are still on the agenda.
Will definitely call, especially when I'm craving cookies! ; )
You can call here too! And as I've learned over these more frequent grey days we've had, it doesn't have to be warm to soak up some Vitamin D. You just need to turn your face to the sun whenever it shines for 10 to 15 minutes. It doesn't need to be a long time. So bundle up and chase the sun beams!
We did it! The little boys and I got outside to play! It was 14 stinkin' degrees out, but WE DID IT!!!
(Proud of myself much?)
This is a special feast to me, too. Many childhood memories!
You and Barbara both! I never knew about the throat blessing until a few years ago.
I find I love the staying in of winter and the stability of sameness it offers, but I know that the kids "want to get out and go-ness" makes me a little crazy. Not quite "Shining" crazy, but crazy nonetheless. I just want to be left alone, and that's not a good thing.
I love the feast of St. Blaise, too. I have fond memories of blessings from my childhood, and yet, yesterday I could not go to Mass for — of all things — a sore throat and cold. I would have gone had I been alone in church, but I fear "sharing" my virus with an elderly person, about 95% of daily Mass goers.
That IS ironic and I'm sorry you had to miss Mass on the feast.
You know what's even worse than staying in too much? Staying inside my HEAD too much. That's why I need to get out and do things. Otherwise, I just sit and…stew.
And I haven't seen The Shining, (too creepy), but would LIKE to, just to see him go nuts. I'd be like, "I can so relate!" ; )
Yay! Open comments!!!! Love you!!
Good job getting out!!! I've been making a point of bundling up with the kids and getting outside every day. Even 5 minutes is better than nothing.
So glad that this winter is nothing like last year. I think every one was dealing with depression last year. Ugh.
Could you tell Francis to stop growing. He looks so, so…kid!!
Love you too, sweet Meghan. You and Charlotte inspired me to go outside and play. It only took an hour to get them all dressed, but we did it!!
And no, unfortunately, Francis refuses to stop growing. He's into being into everything these days. Just ask his sisters about their nail polish.
I have never seen the wolves up close!!! Wow, very cool picture! I've always seen them far away, sleeping….if at all.
Prayers for you Maggie.
You can call me. it's cool and rainy here…it still gets hard to be inside, even in the rain…(not cold and snow) we are all leaving to run errands together…get water, new suitcases…some Diet Pepsi!! Just get out!
You are so right.
I love that you always reach out.
Love to you.
and (((hugs))) and prayers.
I would love–LOVE–to be walking on the beach with you each morning. You look so…healthy and happy! Yay for sun. Yay for sun rises. Yay for long walks on the beach (for YOU ; )
Oh! I love that shot of Francis on the table watching his brother.
Cheer up – February is here and that means spring is just around the corner. 🙂
I liked that one too, Kimberlee. He follows his big brother EVERYWHERE.
I totally hear you. I am so grateful God decided to bless(and surprise) me with TWO February birthday girls. He knew it would be just the distraction I'd need to get through the month. Those birthdays to look forward to and plan have been a lifesaver.
Besides that, we have a Valentines sledding party with our homeschool group. OH, and a winter carnival at our church that yours truly does a fair amount of the planning/orchestrating for. It keeps me and my head busy so they days breeze by.
Enjoy the sunshine when it's here and every moment out with friends that you can. My kids are always complaining how anything 'fun' is in the cities or at least an hour away. I agree. I wish we had more museums, outings, SOMEWHERE, to go during the winter that was a closer driving distance.
There's certainly a ton of fun things to do in the Cities but you gotta get off your bottom and DO them! That's *my* big challenge.
Your February sounds fabulous, Sarah!
so, a quick question from someone who is unfamiliar with these things. What time do you go to Mass on a school day? Do your school kids go to? Or just your homeschool kids with you? I'm curious.
PS as I drove out of our somewhat-insulated garage and through our neighborhood on the way to taking the kids to school, we watched the temperature on the thermometer start going down and the kids started counting along. 16, 15, 14… 3, 2, 1, blast off! And then it went into the negatives and that was just depressing.
It depends on the school day, Karin. If it's a big Catholic feast, like a holy day of obligation or whatnot, we'll go at 7:30 before school starts. If we're going to Mass just 'cause we want to, then we usually go at 9:00, minus the school kids.
That countdown is hilarious! Sad that it was so cold this morning…but hilarious. : )
I am having a very hard time this winter. And I thought for some reason it would be easier with five of the kids in school, and only a toddler. Those snow days and the change of my routine just don't jive well with me. And I know it's just my depression and the season. Doesn't make it any easier. I have never been so excited for spring in my life LOL
Having them in school doesn't matter, does it? Totally get that, because we're stuck at home with all those EMOTIONS. Exercise and sunlight seems to be the key for me–getting outside, getting "out" of my head, 'cause goodness, those negative voices sometimes!
(also getting off of Facebook has helped me a LOT)
(too much noise, even though much of it is good)
I hear ya! Next time you to to the Science Museum or Zoo, let me know! I would not go by ourselves, but I would totally go to see you!
We're planning on going very soon, Elisa. I'll let you know!
My husband has poured a nice rink in the back yard the past few years. It helps so much to be able to send the kids out to play!