 |
|
What is the deal with New Year's? Everyone gets so excited around this holiday. Everyone is running around making plans of one sort or another and breaking out a list of resolutions for the next 12 months -- even though no one could stick to last year's. Am I missing something here?
Don't get me wrong. I am very fond of New Year's Eve. In Greece, it is a bigger holiday than Christmas. Children run from door to door singing a New Year's song for drachmas, and the highlight is cutting a sweet cake that we call Pita. Legend says that if you receive a slice of Pita with a drachma, it will be a lucky year for you.
The spirit of New Year's is one of love, respect, and hope. I think that this is the time to take a look at the last year and see what individuals and events have made a difference in your life, acknowledge the people who have touched you and whom you are thankful re-entered your life. You know the drill. I mean it, pumpkins. Take a moment from your self-absorbed obsessing about what to wear on New Year's Eve and where to wear it and think about this last year.
You know what I wish? That there was some independent company that annually made yearbooks of our lives. They'd have pictures of the events and people we were involved with on any level; they'd catalogue our whole year. Imagine, you could be looking at it years later and stumble upon a shot of that person you had some wild September night with that you almost forgot about, or maybe a person that you thought would be your buddy forever but isn't now. Pictures of the two or 12 of you at Margarita night or maybe at the Flynn.
There would be those yearbook inscriptions telling you how much fun you are and just how much you mean. "Keep in touch -- I mean it!" Would that not be a kick? I would love it. That is what this holiday is all about to me; it is about remembering. Remembering all those things that happened in the past years that really helped to shape me. Now this hits a little closer to home for me because I have started to forget things.
As I have written before in past articles, I am the eldest of four boys. One of my younger brothers, Sam, died a little over six years ago. I love him and think about him each day, no lie, but lately I have had trouble remembering. It is harder for me to remember what his voice sounded like or what his nose looked like. I can't remember his laugh and there are times that tears me up inside.
I remember playing poker, for change, with him on his bed and cheating. I remember picking out outfits for him to wear on picture day in school and how he melted my heart with a hug.
I wish I had known that laugh a little better and wish that I had paid attention to all those little things that I cherish so much now that he is not in my life. I can't go back and live those years over again. I can't go back and get in those same snowball fights or relive any of those moments that only come once.
I remember that Sam and I used to play Ice Hockey on Nintendo. He would always choose the US team and I the Greek team. We would sit for hours trying to beat each other and arguing about which team was better. We would tease each other and laugh. I remember that. I don't remember the exact conversations, but I remember that person who I love and miss with all that I have.
This New Year, I will thank the spirits for him and remember what a difference he made in my life. I will then remember all the others who are making a difference in my life, and how, and I will thank them. I will stop from my busy, self-centered life and say the things I know I would regret not saying if they were not around. I will say them because I know that I will never have that chance with Sam. I will never have the opportunity to say to his face that I love him or anything else that I have the opportunity to say to those who are still living.
This is not a dress rehearsal. We have all heard the phrase. It may be corny, but sweet peas, I can't think of a more accurate saying. We have the opportunity to live each day only once, so why not make the most of it? Do what we want to do and be who we know we can be. Live a life that we can look back on and say, "Wow that was me. That is my life and I am proud and thankful for it." Happy New Year, pumpkins, and many more.
