HAPPY HIBERNATION

“Well, that’s it.” I sighed as I looked around house.

My son Alex came into the room. “Who are you talking to?”

I sighed again. “Myself. I just finished putting away all the Christmas decorations and now that the New Year is here I’m faced with this.”

Alex looked confused. “Faced with what?”

I waved my hand around the room. “Nothingness.” I looked over at Alex. “Did you hear that?”

“What?”

I shook my head. “I swear it echos in here now that it’s so bare.”

Alex laughed. “Just think, it’s only eleven weeks until spring!”

I cringed. “That’s not making me feel better at all.” I looked out at the gray sky. “Why can’t we hibernate in the winter like my little chipmunk friends?”

My husband Steven walked into the room. “Hey, you got all the Christmas decorations down.”

He looked over at me. “You made it a really nice Christmas for us.” He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“It was a nice one.” Alex chimed in. “Thanks.”

I sighed again. “You’re welcome.”

Steven looked at Alex then back at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Mom wants to hibernate like the chipmunks until spring.”

Steven started to laugh.

“I’m serious.” I said. “I’m tired, the weather stinks, it’s getting too cold out, and spring is eleven weeks away!”

Steven patted my upper arm trying to make me feel better. “Weren’t you kind of hibernating yesterday?” he asked.

Now I was confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Didn’t you spend the day on the couch, under a blanket reading and sewing?”

I smiled at the memory. “That was like a little slice of Heaven.”

Alex looked over at me. “Remember we ordered dinner and Dad and I went and picked it up?”

“Oh, yeah!” I couldn’t help but smile. “That was a perfect day. I finished my book, took a nap and had dinner brought to me.” I looked at Steven. “That’s the kind of hibernating I want to do! Why can’t the whole winter be like that!”

Steven tilted his head and raised his eyebrow. “Well, I’m not sure your job would agree with your winter plan.” Steven reminded me. “Your Christmas break is almost over.”

I frowned as I looked over at the couch. “Well I still have a few more days before I have to go back so I’m not wasting it.” I went over to the couch, grabbed the blanket and laid down. Reaching for my new book I adjusted the pillows behind my back and sank back into them. As I opened my book I looked over at my guys. “Which one of you wants to order dinner?”

Steven looked at Alex. “Pizza?” he asked.

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Sounds good to me.”

“When it comes I want to eat it right here.” I reached over and tapped the coffee table. “Happy hibernation to me!”