Today marks the day of a new year; a new number to add to
history books. This morning as dawn
broke through allowing the first new rays of sun to illuminate the earth for
this year, people were able to catch a breath. There’s something about a new
year that brings about a new spirit in people.
It allows younger kids to stay up way beyond their bedtime to watch the
magic of a silver ball descend upon a city as the sky is filled with confetti. Teenagers sneak away from crowds to steal a
kiss from their first crush and misty-eyed parents and grandparents are flooded
with memories of past years and hopeful expectations for the new year. There is something mystical about this
particular midnight that can make an optimist of the most devout cynic. As the clock hands tick steadily to twelve,
it seems that perhaps, just perhaps change can occur, things will get better,
and a fresh start is at the next stop of the grandfather clock’s second
hand. As the chimes announce the coming
of midnight, the unknown of the days that lie ahead allow us to feel hopeful-to
anticipate. It is in that holy moment
that fearfully unknowing and innocently dreaming mixes in our souls and for
once it seams perhaps oil and water can be blended.
Perhaps it doesn’t even matter what losses, heartaches,
or tragedies have occurred the past year.
As new dawn breaks across the sky, couple kiss, family and friends toast
to the possibilities that lie ahead and for a moment, the world seems eager to move
forward as hopes are placed in the fact that this new dawn could change
everything. Often new years day is
filled with lists of resolutions to be made or dreams being cast ahead, but
today I had the privilege of embracing this New Year by remembering the past
and celebrating. I was invited to
fellowship and listen as family reminisced and I was reminded of a quote by
William Wordsworth that says “let us learn from the past to profit by the
present, and from the present, to live better in the future”. As I faded quietly into the background, I
tried to absorb every story and memory like raindrops caught in a jar in the
middle of a drought.
The stone house was filled with the aroma of good
southern cooking as family members of many generations milled about. I watched
as my new grandparents prepared food and allowed their home to be a place where
everyone could unite and share. There is
something so very special about breaking bread with people. As everyone ate and
shared food, I listened as stories were told of past gatherings, mischievous
adventures, and heroic and brave acts of men who served our country. There is something humbling about holding the
black and white photograph with faded edges of a strong young man in his army
uniform serving in the Korean War. As I
glanced up, I recognized the familiar features on my new grandfather who was
unassumingly fixing food for today’s feast and quietly smiling with a thermos
of coffee in his hand taking in the scene before him.
Looking around the room
I saw sons and family members who had so much respect for this man and his
wife, Gigi, who loves and gives so freely to others with such sincerity and
thoughtfulness. I saw families blending
together and love- so much love for each other. The kind that despite it all,
you’ll be there for someone. The kind
that so many long for. As I took all of
this in, I was filled with hope as I heard about others lives and dreamt of
what could one day be said about my own.
I cannot wait to see what adventures this new dawn holds and I pray to
remember Mrs. Patty Anne’s wise words “through it all trust in the Lord; keep
leaning on Him”. I am excited to se what
He has written, to meet the people he has in store, and to grow deeper with him
as we continue this new dawn together.
