January means... New Year's Day.
Of all the holidays, the only holiday that is celebrated universally by every nation would be-New Years Eve! WE celebrate the transition from the old to the new with parties, and fireworks all over the world in many different time zones. The only notable exception is the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. They do not bring in the New Year with a display of fireworks! While some Americans like to go out and celebrate dressed in their party dresses and tuxedos; over 60% of the population choose to stay home with their families and watch the big ball drop at exactly midnight.
I was one of the 60% who chose to stay home and celebrate with my 11 year old son. We snuggled together on the couch and watched a movie while eating cotton candy and spinach dip. I was the one eating the spinach dip, while my son complained that it didn’t smell at al pleasant. Maybe one day he’ll appreciate the taste of pumpernickel bread dipped in a good crunchy spinach dip…or maybe not! At midnight we took out the pots and spatulas and went on the front porch and banged and clanged for about 10 minutes. It’s a family tradition that’s been passed down for 22 years! I used to do the same thing with his sister (who is now grown) on New Years Eve at the stroke of midnight. The dogs were barking and the cats were leaping and running around in circles chasing their tails! And we kept banging!
But why were we banging? Were we happy for a new year to arrive? Were we just playing out what millions of Americans do every year? My son even made a comment:” This holiday is so over rated”!
Perhaps he has a valid point. As New Years Eve approaches many of us make promises set in stone to ourselves for the New Year, These are called “new Years Resolutions”. We all hope for a better year, more money, better marriages, better behaved children, or hopes that we’ll lose that unwanted fat that we magically discovered clinging to our bodies that previous year. We make promises that many of us, just can’t keep. While others are busy making those empty promises, I sit back and watch the sow as it all unfolds. I don’t make any promises to myself, so therefore; I don’t fall for that New Year Resolution trap. What I do is make attainable goals that I know can be successfully reached. While millions of people are standing in line waiting for nothing but disappointment; I’m not in line-instead I am sitting in my cozy rocker-sipping on a cappuccino!
So why New Years Eve is so over rated? Beats me! Perhaps it’s the hope for a better future and a brighter tomorrow. Perhaps it’s a way for us to sweep all of our past years mistakes and bad misfortunes under the rug and hopes that the New Year will be cleaner and full of hope. Perhaps it means a new beginning for some of us who may have had a series of unfortunate events the year before. If that’s the case, then hoping for a better year and starting over isn’t such a bad idea. After all, we all need hope for a better tomorrow. And sometimes, starting over isn’t such a bad thing. Starting over Can mean positive changes and new direction. As for me…Instead of dressing up and spending my new years eve with hundreds of strangers-I chose to spend time with my favorite guy-my son!
We went shopping and found some great after Christmas deals. A new pair of snow boots for me and a new pair of skate shoe for Nick! We found a dog house for Blackie Jo and then it was off to CVS for some make up for me! After a couple of hours of shopping we went to the grocery store for some New Years day food. We loaded up the cart with snacks and all the fixings for a great meal! Then it was off to Dairy Queen for some good ole fast food! As we headed in I stopped for a potty break and had one of my “ah ha”moments! As I washed my hands and looked in the mirror, I was overcome with gratitude! I began to thank my maker for looking out for me and my boy. He had supplied our needs and more! I was given enough work so that we could have an awesome Christmas. Even the pets received plenty from Santa! My bills were paid, and there was money left over to shop for Christmas
and then some! I lived in a beautiful town and have made some wonderful friends this year. Here it was, days after Christmas and I was able to take my family out on the town! We were able to enjoy some shopping and now we were going to fill our bellies. There was no drama in this queen’s life-only peace and joy! I had spent many years living in drama and havoc that my new life here in the mountains still seemed like a dream! I pinched myself, wiped my happy tears and walked out of the rest room-ready to finish celebrating with my best friend-who was standing in line waiting to order his supper. “What’s the matter mom?”
“Nothing, nothing at all sweetheart, Happy New Year! Break out the confetti, champagne, and horns! This is one party that gives the rest of the holiday parties through out the year a bar to measure up against!