Hope springs eternal in the midst of cold snowy days
““O, Wind. If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?””
February is a short month packed full of significance. On Groundhog Day Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but if you step outside, you’ll notice that the days are getting longer. And just like that, Spring will come. The snow will melt. Bulbs planted last Fall will peek through the ground and we will marvel that they survived the freezing temperatures.
February marks the first day of Spring in the Celtic calendar based on the orbit of the sun around the earth and the amount of daylight we experience. As we spend more time outdoors, we adapt to the yearly natural cycle: awake earlier; more energetic in the morning; and of course, hungrier too! Animals come out of hibernation eager for plants and protein. February is American Heart Month and some of celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. So, grab the hand of someone you love, put on your mask, take a vigorous walk and look for signs of Spring. It’s good for your mental and physical health.
In February, we celebrate President’s Day in honor of Washington and Lincoln and Black History Month to honor the achievements of African Americans. This year’s Black history theme is, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” We'll be reading many new books on the topic. If you are interested, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will prepare a 'book bundle' for you. You can drive by and pick up the bundle to go! Visit MCPL'S Holds to Go! to explore the wonderful collection of books on Black History. The more exposure we have to history and culture, the more deeply invested we will be in our future. It is never too early or too late to learn, to enjoy the snow and the sun, and to celebrate each day with our families!