Notes from Jan

Half-way to Spring and My Tree’s Still Up

January 21, 2019

That’s what I read in the paper, “We’re half-way to Spring.” That’s a dose of perspective to warm the heart, if not the 11 degrees below zero windchill.

Some of you must’ve wondered what happened to me. Well, I ran into a snag with this blog site so had to wait for technical help. How can people so young be so smart?

Not sure why I’m so reluctant to pack away Christmas. Touches throughout the house are tucked away for another year but my tree’s still up. It’s green and glowing in the corner of the living room. It’s not real so no needles browning or dropping at will. But then, like the story of the Velveteen Rabbit, loving makes it real. Each ornament showcases a reminder of family, friend, place visited or sacred symbol.

Made a cup of cardamom tea and began reading Christmas cards yesterday. Church was cancelled due to icy roads so I “did” church through your cards. It was the custom for Jud and me to read cards after Christmas and pray over each person or family represented. I love that connection with him and all of you.

More than one of you sent these words by Howard Thurman. They seem appropriate on a day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

When the song of the angels is stilled,W

When the star in the sky is gone,

 When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

That’s Christmas, for you, and me on this 21st day in January and all to follow until next December when once again, nativity scenes, Christmas music and trees come inside to remind us heaven and nature sings, not just us.

Wondering if I should just keep mine up, considering how fast the days fly by. We’re already half-way to Spring.

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9 Comments

  • Reply Cheryl Ward January 21, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    Mrs. Carlburg ~ I just thought I should share with you how much I look forward to your words of wisdom and thoughtful messages. When you blog shows up in my email, I drop everything to read it because I know you will warm my heart or fuel my faith with your words. My son and daughter-in-law are graduates of Gordon, so I know how special that place is. I took a picture of the plaque in the chapel so that I could remember the greatness that your Jud and you did for a place that my family also holds dear. Thank you for all of your stories and personal reflections. I almost always know someone that your post will help and forward it to them so that they may know they aren’t the only one going through something. I look forward to maybe hearing you speak at one of the alumni family weekends. That would be a dream come true for me.
    Bless you and the memory of your Jud ~

  • Reply Mark Taylor January 21, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    When you said, “My tree’s still up,” I thought at first that you meant yourself. Glad you’re still up! And happy winter.

    • Reply Jan January 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      Hah! Still up and running, slower but on the move. Happy wintering to you and Carol, as well.

  • Reply Marjorie Lund January 21, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    Love your comments about your tree

  • Reply Marjorie Lund January 21, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    Love your comments about your Christmas tree

    • Reply Jan January 21, 2019 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks, Marge. Just finished taking off the ornaments but the tree still stands looking like I gave it a lift.

  • Reply Rita Smith Dove January 21, 2019 at 5:44 pm

    Welcome back, Jan. I’m glad your absence was just a technical problem with the blog—and that you are ok.

    Blessings

  • Reply Eleanor Towle January 23, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Dear Jan, Don’t feel bad I am still putting away Christmas things. When I had my Brain Tumor they told me hearing aid in that good ear would do no good. Went back to the doctor that found the tumor and they have a hearing aid that works for one ear. It is connected to my right ear that was taken out. Yesterday I went and got my hearing aid. Praise God I can hear again. my family will have to be careful what they say now because I can hear again. Stay warm. Love Eleanor.

  • Reply Marty Lefever January 23, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    These are great thoughts! Thanks, my friend! Wish we could sit down together for some of that cardamom tea!
    Still enjoying touches of Christmas around our place, too . . . I think I’ll wait until the Pats win the Super bowl to take them down.
    Love you, Jan . . .

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