Those that know me well know that I have some quirky interests.  I find the human mind interesting and I like to delve into the damaged and sometimes darker elements of it.  I believe that evil does exist in the world and I like to explore what and why.  I love the beach in the starkness of the winter.  I find abandoned and neglected buildings to have a somber beauty.

AND yet I am a sunshine girl.  I love Spring and Summer with all the green, all the colorful blooms and the warmth.  I love the brilliant colors of Fall.  I am generally a very upbeat and happy person.  I love Christmas and the hope of the New Year.  BUT I do not like February.  After Mardi Gras it’s pretty much down hill until Spring, well – springs.  Don’t get me started on Valentines Day.  I mean really, tell the one you love that you love them everyday.  Bring them candy and flowers and take them to dinner on a regular basis.  We don’t need a day for that.

Hence the name of my blog…

This year however as I ponder Lent and the cold, I have decided to embrace the beauty of nothingness.  The one unscheduled second in my day, the few unproductive moments while waiting in line, the few minutes after I finish a book before I decide on the next one.  The blank thoughts I have when I enter a room and I forgot why.  The times I can’t rush out the door to go shopping because my bank account is empty.  The times when I am in despair and cannot even think to form a coherent thought or prayer.  The absolute quiet that comes when I don’t know what my next move is going to be.

I am embracing these things, these moments, these stark reminders that life is a journey that I have very little control over because in seeing the beauty of the dark and scary as well as the sunshine and soothing, I am reminded that all of life is an embraceable experience that leads me to the next better thing.  I am reminding myself that even in February there is the promise of Spring.