The Roman god Janus had two faces, one facing back, one facing forward. Thus, he was worshipped as the god of beginnings and endings, transitions and time. Much like our personifications of the old year as an old man, and the new year as a baby, Janus presided over anything moving from one state to another: birth to death, war to peace, old year to new year, and more. The month of January is named after him. Fitting, seeing as how this month is the beginning of something new again. We’re kissing 2025 goodbye and stepping over the threshold into 2026, moving from the past into the future, where nothing is set it stone yet.
As with many thresholds, we can easily look over our shoulders and see what’s been accomplished, or what’s we’re leaving behind. Until I wandered through my photos, I didn’t think I had a ton of bright lights to reflect on. I was wrong!
A Caribbean cruise where we spent some fun time searching out hidden rubber ducks. Magnolia trees exploding with pink, or the special yellow one by the library. Lions basking in the sun at a Chicago zoo. The crazy squirrel that found out a way to clamber up a fragile bush to balance on the hummingbird feeder. (I think it’s the same one who’s scrambling up the patio door’s screen door…without making a single hole!) The Fourth of July in Door County, including indulging in smoke lake trout. A lunch with Pat Martino, a former student traveling the world working at various embassies and soaking up local culture and food. The Holy Hill fun outdoor art fair with my extraordinary bonus sister (read, sister-in-law). Apple picking with the grandkids and their parents…and the pies that reside in my freezer, soon to be baked in the middle of winter. Meeting the new archbishop.
The sparkling crown of the summer: our entire family flew to explore my father’s German hometown. That was probably my last chance to see the last cousin, whom I hadn’t seen since 1956, when we were both children. He’s 80, so how much time is left? I was so pleased and proud to share my heritage to our children and grandchildren.
And now? Now, Janus stands at the threshold, gazing forward into the new year.
What’s in store?! Another cruise, and this time we’re taking our own rubber ducks to hide around the ship, hopefully where children will find them. Some book promoting events, of course. I love meeting new readers, as well as return readers. I continue to have fun both writing and sharing. I went back to poetry and short stories, just for a little variety, and both are lots of fun…and challenging! I look forward to fun with the grandkids, and our adult children as well. Beyond that, I’m happy simply watching the days unroll into weeks and months, as the weather warms and then shifts again.
As I turn another year older, I’m tying myself to the rhythms of Mother Nature. Slow, sure, and often surprising. Just like these buds on the magnolia–closed up tight and ready to burst into brilliant blossom–2026 is ready to give us plenty of wonderful experiences, if we simply pay attention.
