Winter Mornings, Full Moons, and Findings Our Own Kind of Christmas

Holistic Caregiver Wellness. Jay's House of Blues.

This morning I stepped outside into 19-degree air, bundled up like a true Michigan woman, and looked up at a full moon that stopped me in my tracks. It was bright, calm, and peaceful — one of those moments that reminds you there’s still magic in the world, even before sunrise. I snapped a few photos, knowing I’d be back out again with the dogs, when the sky started to lighten. I’ve been trying to build a better routine with my blogging, sharing pieces of our life — Jay’s medical journey, the dogs, the busyness, the simplicity — all the pieces that make up our days.

Winter has a way of bringing that all into focus.

We’re just a few weeks out from Christmas, and if I’m honest, the holiday season looks different these days. When Jay was little, Christmas felt bigger and louder. The excitement used to fill the whole house. He still gets excited at 19, but in a different way, and it’s harder to know what he wants now. And without the matriarchs and parents around, the holidays shift. Traditions fade or change. The noise quiets down.

So this year it’ll be me, my son, and the dogs — and really, that’s okay. We’ll make our own version of Christmas. We’ll go see lights, hit a few hunting and sports shows, and find fun wherever winter offers it. There’s always something if you’re willing to bundle up.

And speaking of bundling up — winter is busy around here. People think it’s the slow season, but honestly, it’s not. This is when the practical side of life ramps up.

There’s wood to cut and split — not just for heat, but because it’s part of my workout and part of our lifestyle. Nothing builds strength like hauling and stacking logs in the cold. Honestly, there is a special kind of peace I find when I'm back in the woods, the day is quiet, the sun filters through the trees, and I can feel the stillness all around.

And then there’s the dogs — my pack is not a “let them out the door and they come back when they feel like it” kind of crew. Oh no. These dogs want action. They want to work. Fetch, chase, sprinting laps, wrestling each other in the snow — all at full speed. Supervision is absolutely a must. They force me outside whether I’m ready or not, and honestly, it’s good for me. They make sure I’m moving, breathing in the cold, and staying active even when the weather tries to convince me to hibernate.

Winter is also when I finally get to those projects that slipped through the cracks all summer — the organizing, the repairs, the planning, the things that needed attention but never beat out the demands of warm-weather chaos. Winter slows things down just enough that I can catch up.

Sure, I’ve thought about heading south for a couple months someday. Working from home makes it possible. But I know myself well enough to admit I’m not built for months of crowds and traffic, city life with heat. I’m a country girl at heart. I like quiet roads, open space, and being able to hear myself think. There are southern places I could see myself visiting, for sure — the ones that aren’t so busy you feel swallowed up — but Michigan winter still has a pull on me.

A lot of people get depressed this time of year because it’s darker and colder, and getting outside takes more effort. Some days the wind chill is downright rude — sharp enough that you rethink your life choices. But even with that, there’s a peace to winter that I’ve grown to appreciate.

There’s peace in sitting by the fireplace with a hot drink.

Peace in watching the dogs play in the snow.

Peace in the quiet mornings with a full moon or a slow sunrise.

Peace in the rhythm of work, projects, and movement.

Peace in letting the world settle down a bit.

I’m still walking, working out, staying active, staying connected to the things that keep me grounded. But winter lets me slow my mind, reset my energy, and breathe deeper.

And maybe that’s exactly what I want this blog to be — a place where I share these everyday moments. The moon. The sunrise. The dogs. Jay’s milestones and challenges. The winter chores. The hard days and the hopeful ones. The projects, the motion, the stillness. All the things that make up our real life.

Here’s to winter — cold nose, warm coffee, hardworking days, beautiful skies, and a kind of peace that you only find when the world finally gets quiet.

Follow along for more moments from our life and wellness journey.

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@Jay'sHouseofBlues

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