This Gordon Lightfoot remake originally appeared on Sarah’s earlier album Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff Vol. 1, a CD played nearly to death in my twenties. It’s not the first Sarah track featured on the blog but appropriate for the time of year.
January is not an easy month.
Little by little, the days get longer, but the Christmas buzz has passed for another year with people dreaming of tropic vacations or returning to work after a layoff from school. I belong the latter camp. January also proves to be a lonely month in a place like Winnipeg. Engagement pictures or relationship status changes appear on social media also begin to appear making the first month of the year feel lonely at times. Luckily, I read like a fiend most of the time or make plans to go out. This past Friday, I went to Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them on my own. It’s a way to get out of the house and escape for a little while.
For others, the loneliness proves too much and need a little more help. It may mean something as simple finding a professional to talk to or getting a little more help. If you, or someone you know, needs help, please pick up the phone for any of the following:
Kids Help Phone
You can call 1-800-668-6868 or click on the heading to find the online chat for Canadian young people 20 and under.
Other Supports
For something local in Manitoba, the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba maintains a directory of services for crisis support. This page also includes a list for rural Manitoba as well.
The song itself has a sense of longing and melancholy. Both are part of being human, sadness also plays a role in our humanity as well, helping us know joy like a sunrise on a new day. For others, it takes a little more time and lots of hard work. Whatever dawn looks like, it’s worth waiting for, especially after long winter nights.
If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you
Unpaused Life 