Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Year of the Rooster

The other day I was looking up rooster graphics - because you can't have enough - when all of a sudden I discovered that 2017 is The Year of the Rooster.  Clearly, the universe is speaking to me with a rousing cock-a-doodle-doo.  If you have noticed my blog background, or visited my kitchen, or even browsed my Pinterest Board dedicated to this magnificent bird, you will know that the rooster is no small fowl in my eyes.

Subsequently, I found out that I was born in The Year of the Rat.  But, never mind that - I am Rooster all the way.

I think it all began when I inherited a grandmother's rooster trivet, and then another grandmother's rooster bins.  With the addition of a grandmother-in-law's rooster salt and peppers, a collection was born. From those humble beginnings, I have filled my house with ceramics, hooks, rugs, and chalkboards, all in homage to the feather and comb.

I like roosters because they are loud and colorful.  I like that they come in all shapes and sizes.  I like roosters because they often take center stage in art, literature, and even religion.

And, it turns out, they don't need nests. 

This is particularly important to me as the empty-nest chapter of my life is rapidly closing in.  Granted, I still have a little more time until the last chick flies the coop, but once the first one takes off next year, nothing will ever be the same.

I was talking to a friend recently about prom, graduation, college, and "letting go", when she made a kind remark about this blog.  She asked me if I still wrote here, and I confessed to a long stretch of writer's block.  I explained that since my kids were never home, I didn't have as much to write about.

Later, it hit me that I am entering dangerous territory. Did I really mean what I said, that I have nothing to say if it isn't about my kids?  When they leave, is my life just going to be a black void until they come home for a visit?

Cluck, no!

This is where The Year of the Rooster comes in.  Although its significance lies in Chinese zodiac, I am taking it on as a sign from my spirit animal.  The rooster often is referred to as a symbol of strength, confidence, assertiveness, pride, and hard work.  It is a herald to a new day, a fresh chance to strut your stuff. It is a bold call to action to show the world how unique you are, both with and without your chicks.

So, that's what I am going to do.  The longest and most vibrant feather in my cap is the one named Mom.  But there are lots of other feathers in there too, and I can't wait to give them a fluff.

Until next time, keep crowin' and growin'!