Auld Lang Syne - Goodbye 2009 - Hello 2010

This age-old song evokes many memories for me, of New Year's Eve family gatherings from childhood. I remember glasses raised and everyone toasting in the New Year while watching Andy Stewart and Kenneth McKellar sing Auld Lang Syne at midnight on the TV, and my sister and I were allowed to stay up and join in. That in itself was exciting. Watching Hogmanay on television was a ritual in our English household for many years. Mom and Dad always said the Scots knew how to throw a New Year's Eve party, confirmed by my Aunty Freda who was herself a Scot but didn't have the brogue because she had been in England since she was a young girl. I remember her telling me some of their New Year's Eve traditions which I loved to hear about. She was always proud of her Scottish roots.

Hogmanay signals the end of the old year and the birth of the new one. It makes me reflective of the past year which at times has been bittersweet. At the beginning of this year we lost my dear sister, and at the end of this one a much loved uncle passed away on Christmas Eve. My uncle was my Mom's younger brother Len and Aunty Freda was his wife. They came over with my Mom and Dad for wonderfully long vacations when we lived in San Diego and Virginia Beach. Good times and that's what I am going to remember. These beloved members of my family who are now all gone were blessings in my life I will always be grateful for.

The happiest of events took place this year when our son married the love of his life in June, and we welcomed into our lives our lovely daughter-in-law. We were thrilled when she became part of our family. I think I have touched on this subject before but our son was heading to the west coast for Los Angeles to start a new life, plans that had been set in motion several years before. Things have a way of turning out as after a series of circumstances made him realize he had left someone very important to him back in Virginia and no, just in case you mothers out there were wondering that was not me (nuh-uh and yes I am smiling), when he reached Las Vegas he called her and asked if he returned would she consider seriously dating him. They had known each other for about a year but had only been out on a couple of dates before he left. She brought our boy home and I will always be grateful to her because of it. I had said my goodbyes, had cried a bucket of tears after he had left, and then all of a sudden he was on his way back to the East Coast. A total whiplash of emotions as I think I cried another couple of buckets when I realized he was heading home. When they married there were no more tears, just pure joy and the feeling still stays with me when I realize how happy our son is with his bride. They are making a wonderful life together.

At their wedding we had a fantastic gathering of family and friends which included my sister's daughter who came over from Germany and I don't know if she realized how much that meant to me. I look forward to the time when we will see each other. She is like a daughter to me but for most of her life I have called her my little sister.

Not so long ago we also had the wonderful news that the son of old family friends, a young man we have known for many years since he was a young boy himself, had just become a father. He and his wife are now the parents of twins and we received their first 'family' Christmas card. Those twins - a boy and a girl - are the sweetest, cutest little babies and I have their card up on the mantle. They are smiling at me as I write and I am smiling back every time they catch my eye.

A very eventful year, a lot of sadness but a lot of joy as well, and such is life. When I raise my glass this evening to welcome in 2010, I will be remembering all those I love and have loved, my family, my friends, and I will count my blessings and wish you all much joy, good health and happiness in the year ahead.

Here are some New Year's Toasts to share.

~

If there is righteousness in the heart,

there will be beauty in the character.

If there is beauty in the character,

there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home,

there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

there will be peace in the world.

So let it be!

~

Haste you back, we loue you dearly,

Call again you're welcome here.

May your days be free from sorrow,

And your friends be ever near.

Maye the paths o'e which you wander,

Be to you a joy each day.

Haste you back we loue you dearly,

Haste you back on friendship's way.

~

May the hill rise behind you,

And may the mountain be always over the crest;

And may the God that you believe in

Hold you in the palm of his hand.

~

Auld Lang Syne" is a song by Robert Burns (1759--1796). It is one of the better-known songs in English-speaking countries, and it is often sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

Burns' Original Scots verse:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne.

Chorus

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup,

And surely I'll be mine.

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,

and pou'd the gowans fine,

But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,

sin' auld lang syne.

(Chorus)

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,

frae morning sun till dine ;

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

sin' auld lang syne.

(Chorus)

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,

And gies a hand o' thine,

And we'll tak a right gude-willie-waught,

for auld lang syne.

(Chorus)

~

Happy New Year!