Though it’s tempting to write about the weather today, the polar vortex with its subzero windchills, I will avoid that temptation and write about … the end of January.

January, the endless month. Season of long nights, dark mornings and tedious commutes (well, that’s all year, but in winter they’re cold, too).

In January, life slows to a crawl. Days last weeks, and weeks last fortnights. Snow falls and melts. Ice takes its place. The woods trails are too snowy or soaked to amble, so I stay on the streets, follow the safe path.

But today proves that the endless month does in fact have a conclusion. And freed as we almost are of it, I suddenly see its silver lining. It brings hope to those of us who feel life is flying by all too quickly.