My view of New Years Eve

Let me say the following. I have never liked New Years Eve. As in, ever. I don't know what it is about it that makes me feel so sad but it just does. Auld Lang Syne kills me. Did you know auld lang syne means times long past? Or that the song itself is a poem that originated in Scotland? There it is sung as a goodbye or farewell at gatherings, including funerals. That makes sense. It makes me cry. Perhaps the saying goodbye of one year is sad because it takes you further away from other things. Memories of childhood you try and hold on to. Or of loved ones that you have lost. It's a sad thought that in your memory they remain the same age while you get older and further away. For parents I think it's tough to realize that as time marches on, your children will never be this age, this way again. Better things may be on the horizon but the past has a rosy, old time color to it that makes me feel warm. No matter how many times I reexamine the past, it is always the same. I can count on certain memories never changing and that makes it a comfort to hang out there once in a while.


Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne?

Should we forget those that have been in our lives but are no longer? What about times long past? I don't believe so, no. The English translation of the song shows how beautiful the song really is because most of us don't speak Scottish!


Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine^† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give me a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.



I think it means that when you look at the past, be kind to yourself. Be kind to what has happened. Don't judge to harshly. A lot has happened between now and those old time days but think about them with grace. That may not be what the song means, but to me it makes sense. Decisions made, events that happened, they are all easy to regret, wish away, and ponder. But what it all comes down to is people normally do the best they can at the moment. If you are upset with a choice someone made, realize that they probably did the best they could. If you are still ruminating about an insult from 10 years ago, chances are that person has changed since then and so have you. These pictures are of me and my daughters as toddlers. Wow has time flown by for all 3 of us.

Me as a toddler

Kayla as a Toddler

Emily as a toddler

I guess for now I will look at New Years Eve as a nod to the past. A chance to say goodbye to the person you were this year because chances are next year at this time you won't be the same person. If you are the same person you aren't growing as a person. I don't intend on being the same person year in and year out. I also don't want to be on my front porch in a rocking chair in 40 years and regret what life I have led. So goodbye 2011, you have been good to my family. May our blessings continue and may we be able to see those blessings for the good that they are. May we stay healthy and safe and be more prosperous than ever before. May we find comfort in one another and have the grace to accept whatever may come our way. Have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve and may 2012 bring you everything you have hoped for.

Love Always

Kira