2011-It's Official!

Happy New Year, everyone! As 2011 came to pass, I must admit I was not one of the million or so in Times Square. No I was at home (probably like most of humanity) quietly watching the festivities on TV and thinking back to so many New Year's Eve's in times past. Now depending on your age you may or may not relate to this but my earliest and perhaps happiest memories of this event was when I was living in Jackson Heights at about the age of 8++. We would have a special treat in our apartment (usually just Mom and the kids) and in my family that treat would be onion dip. cream cheese with chives, pretzels and potato chips all washed down with root beer, or coke. We would munch and watch (in black and white) all these rich looking men and ladies dancing in a ballroom in NYC while a famous man named Guy Lombardi and his orchestra played. Every year his brother (I think his name was Carmine) would sing a song called "Boo Hoo" and for some reason we found that very funny. The time would arrive......Guy would start the countdown and when we hit that momentous moment we would all shout "Happy New Year" at which point apartment doors would swing open and all of us kids (accompanied by our parents) would rush into the hallways and up and down the stairs repeating the chant, "Happy New Year" while banging one of Mom's pots with a big spoon. In about 10 minutes, it was done, the New Year had been officially proclaimed at 35-63 89th Street in as festive a manner as we thought possible. It was simple, it was sweet and best of all it was ushered in with spirits filled with hope and anticipation of wonderful adventures that lie ahead! Of course, it also meant that our Christmas vacation was soon over and we would be back in school, back to our ordinary routine.
So what about this year. Once again we have greeted in a new year and hopefully despite all the ways our world has changed and we along with it, we can still conjur up some of that hopeful spirit we recall from the new years' we greeted when we were young and still innocent. Yes, things are different today and the world certainly has its problems. Wars, economic woes, global warming, cyberbullying, hate and distrust of others because they are different, you can add others as well. However, does not every year and generation have its challenges (and blessings) as well? What's important is not so much that we usher in a new year but a new outlook on the life we will live in 2011. What will make this a better year for us and ultimately the lives of others we relate to at home, school, work etc? Each has to entertain that question for themselves. For me, it will be to let go and let God be God in my life. To trust that the will of God will not take me where the grace of God will not protect me. Finally to once in a while, kick back, enjoy the simple things in life (get out the chips and dip) and maybe even bang on a pot and shout Halleluia just for being me! May 2011 be a year of peace, laughter, love and joy for each of you and all you hold dear.