By Mark Constance
As I sit with my coffee this morning looking out the window, I wonder.
Why is there fog on Dec. 31? Weird weather.
As I look back at past New Year’s eves, I’m amazed at the diverse ways I’ve celebrated over the years.
From the boxes, blankets and popcorn in the living room when we were kids, huddled around a Monopoly board; to parties with our friends (good and bad); Till today, which will be small, low key and casual. And centered around the U of M – Georgia football game.
There have also been a few celebrations that I (like many of us) will choose not to share.
But as I look out the window at the snow, I recall going ice fishing in AuGres with my son, Sean on New Year’s Eve 2002. It was so cold. Dressed to the hilt, we were bundled and shrink wrapped against the bitter Northeast wind that was spinning off the lake.
I forgot my compass that day, so we stayed inside the break wall and close to shore. It was so cold that when I had a tank of propane run out, by the time I got the second tank screwed on the heater and lit up, the holes already had a layer of ice on them. Despite the precautions, it was the first time I got frostbite. Left ear lobe. Feel it whenever I’m outside and a cool breeze hits it right.
But … we did get four nice perch.
Or sitting with Sean and my daughter, Autumn, watching “Goonies” for the umpteenth time. Drinking Coke and hot chocolate; Eating shrimp, popcorn and pizza rolls. Carrying them to bed wrapped up in a blanket well before the ball dropped in Times Square.
But the thing about new year’s is that it’s not so much a celebration of the past, but our planning and anticipation of the year to come. And a few things are always certain: A good steak is still a good steak; Kids outgrow their shoes; Gas prices will go up; and we get a year older.
Today, things seem different.
Distance and politics divide families because of issues reminiscent of past National Enquirer headlines. The ice is iffy in many places for this time of the season. Health is an issue. And first the first time, I’ll open a new year without any parents. But I’ve also added a new grandson, Leo. As my dad used to say, “One goes out and another one comes in.”
At the same time, I’ve made some new friends. Found out who is and isn’t on my team. Paused to really look around me. And I’ve decided to accept the lifestyle changes being forced on me, as well as embracing some uncomfortable, but positive and uplifting changes of my own doing.
As far as resolutions, I’ve tried them all: Stop smoking (Did); Lose weight (Did); Exercise more (Working on it). I hung them on the refrigerator door and by the end of January, tossed them in the trash like everyone else
But this year will be different. No lists. No drawings. No promises to myself that I won’t keep.
My new year’s promise for 2022:
Work on being kinder to everyone I know, the people I meet, and those friends who aren’t part of my life yet.
What a concept.
Happy New Year 😊
