This Past Month

"Time is the school in which we learn."
- Joan Didion

December seemed to rush by.
If it weren't for the telltale reminders of the month,
like my windburned cheeks and the snow pitter patting against the window at night,
I may have missed it altogether.

These past days especially have been full of activity, both planned and spontaneous.
Skiing, snowshoeing, and sipping tea.
Flying on planes and sending out mail.
Celebrating birthdays.
Drinking to the new year and planning for upcoming months.

I find that it is around this time of the year that people ask,
"Did you make it through the holidays?"
As if it is something to survive,
akin to a some catastrophic event.
How alarming is it that spending time with family and friends
has become such a chore.

I will reply to these people with a nod and an understanding smile,
and count my blessings that the holiday season is not something for me to survive,
but a time to wallow in while it is here
and yearn for while it is not.