I’ve spent the last week peeking out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bright blue sky. January has historically been my least favorite month, and this year I’m determined to find the glimmers in the silver lining to make it a little less bleh.

New Years Day was rainy and we made the drive back to NYC in close to three and half hours, even with two quick stops. I don’t know why less than four hour drives bring me such joy, but part of it may be the recognition that as my kids are getting older, the longer car rides are becoming less painful, physically and mentally. These days only a third of the drive is spent with me twisting my back to hand off snacks, grab backpacks, look for headphones and after Exit 4 on the Turnpike, queueing up the videos.

So I wasn’t surprised my back hurt and I was tired Saturday evening. On Sunday the aches were there and morning yoga and a walk helped. After lunch I commented to my husband I felt like I was coming down with a cold, most likely brought on by the weather volleying from 59 degrees back to 32. I took a rapid test just to be sure, and it was negative. Another glimmer.

On Monday, my throat was scratchy. I was tired and couldn’t shake a headache, a combination that for me has been a side effect of parenthood for the last decade. Our sitter was going to pick up the girls that afternoon, and I figured, let me just be extra, extra cautious. Took another rapid test and this time, both lines popped up.

I’m vaccinated and boosted and have no idea where I picked it up. As of today, I remain the only one in my family who has tested positive and we have done our fair share of testing. I’ve had the privilege of being able to quarantine, knowing my husband could be with the girls and I had the space to stay away from everyone. On Day 5 I thought for sure I was going to be negative and was looking forward to being around people again (while masked of course). Turns out despite feeling better, the virus was sticking around. And so were the glimmers of the silver linings to keep January out of last place.

I was able to knock out a couple of those lingering to dos that have been on a mental list for quite awhile, such as transferring content from Facebook or Meta or Metabook or whatever they’re going with these days, over here. I’ve read you should own your content, and now mine is living in a better place. This is also why so many posts say January 6, but if you read them you’ll see they were written over the last two years.

A silver lining to moving content around is being able to reread your own writing. I reflected on all the curve balls that have been thrown our way in the last couple of years and am grateful we’re still standing. I was reminded of my love for NYC, even in a pandemic when it seemed everyone else had left. I saw how much older my kids look now, and how their noticings and wonderings have evolved.

I’ve appreciated my daily reminders that the sun will continue to shine and January too shall pass. While I would have appreciated this month coming in less like March’s lion, I am hopeful it will follow in March’s footsteps and go out like a lamb. Preferably a healthier lamb as our healthcare workers, educators and families need a break. Or minimally, a glimmer of a silver lining.

#see

#theyearwenotice