So, there I was, strolling down the aisle at the store, while taking a glance at the seasonal discounted leftovers. Not much to write home about—discounted scraps of the holidays, like garland that had seen better days. But just as I turned the corner, BAM! Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day looked like a full red and green explosion. Only instead of wreaths and ribbons – you have cupid arrows and leprechauns!! And then, as if the holiday whiplash wasn’t enough, just around that corner on an end display, pastel Easter candy was already hatching in full force. Now where were those conversation hearts again?
In another store, I walked through the front door expecting to see something wintry. You know, it’s January! But no, the first thing I spotted was a bathing suit rack staring me down like it was mid-July. Meanwhile, the poor winter coats have hopped off to the back of the store on neglected clearance racks, probably wondering what they’d done wrong.
And here’s the thing: it hit me different this year. The seasons are changing faster than I can keep up. I mean, why rush into picnic season when I’m still working getting the sidewalk cleared and rock salt down? Oh yeah – where are shovels and winter gloves in the stores located now…?
But maybe this isn’t just about stores and their retail sales. Maybe it’s about how we live. How often do we rush into the next season, unprepared and fatigued, only to leave it behind just as quickly without appreciating it?
We throw decorations up last minute and tear them down before we’ve even plugged in the lights properly. Do we ever just sit there with a cup of cocoa and really admire that tree & it’s ornaments with the memories they might signify to us? Or do we spend the whole time thinking about which corner of the attic we’re going to make space for the extra stuff we bought on clearance? And let’s talk about Valentine’s Day chocolates. Do we even taste those chocolates and enjoy them? Or do we inhale them, forget we ate them, and then feel betrayed when we open the box and it’s empty?
And those flowers on dining the table—how many of us really stop to smell them? Or do we say thanks with a smile, toss them in a vase, picture & post it, water them once, and then a week later wonder why the bouquet looks like it gave up on life?
Life feels like it’s speeding up more and more as we get older. We’re all so busy planning for tomorrow, next week, and next year that we miss the little moments of joy right here and now.
Six months ago, I hit a milestone—50. Half a century! Suddenly I’m thinking, “Wait, how did I go from blasting mix tapes in high school to not remembering where I put my car keys?” And I know it’s more than just perimenopause symptoms. I can vividly recall roaming the halls in high school and how it felt to graduate, but ages like 35 or 41? Total blur. Did they even happen?
And don’t get me started on the people in our lives. Whether it’s disagreements, moves, or just the natural drift of time, we lose touch. BUT when we’re with the ones we love spending time…are we really with them? Or are we scrolling through our phones, pretending to listen, while secretly checking out ads for pans we will never cook with?
But here’s the moment that brought it all home: Coming in late one night passing through the living room I realized my Christmas tree was still up weeks after the holiday was over. Now, don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t feeling lazy (but finding time to take it down with help from the kids and their busy schedules was stressing me). It just… lingered. And instead of feeling bad, I started realizing how compact my life can be. So…we just took care of it then and there in the late hours of the evening!
Scrolling through social media, I saw a friend whose tree was still up a few days after mine met the cold of the attic. I joked with them about it, but deep down, I felt this weird twinge of jealousy. Why? Because maybe I wished I’d enjoyed the season a little more instead of rushing through it like a holiday-themed obstacle course.
And honestly, what’s so wrong with keeping the tree up? My husband joked that we could just decorate it year-round—he even suggested putting tiny shamrocks on it for St. Patrick’s Day and hearts for Valentine’s Day. I laughed, but maybe he’s onto something. That way we would at least be ready early for Christmas next year (for once).
This isn’t about leaving the decorations up forever (though, if you do, no judgment). It’s about letting yourself linger in the moments you live..love. Taking the time to notice the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds, and see the people around you. Notice the color of their shirt…or perhaps the tear in their eyes. Did you ask what was wrong? Or what’s up with that smile?
I remember when I used to plan ahead for birthdays, events, and holiday’s—not just to-do lists, but with intention. And because of that, I enjoyed the seasons so much more. That’s what I’m aiming for now: planning to live on purpose.
When we slow down, and stop rushing to the next thing, we discover the beauty that God placed all around us—the people we love, the warmth of the sun, the laughter, the quiet moments, and even the smell of fresh flowers on the dining room table (assuming we remember to water them).
So here’s to appreciating the now. Because if life is going to keep moving so fast, I’d rather enjoy the ride—and maybe leave the tree up just a little longer next year.