New Year's Eve got a lot better a number of years ago when I took advice from Mrs. Sharp. That's the Victorian super-mom in Sarah Ban Breathnach's first book, "Mrs. Sharp's Traditions: Nostalgic Suggestions for Re-Creating the Future Celebrations and Seasonal Pastimes of the Victorian Home." It's one of my favorite books, as I am nothing if not seasonal.
Her suggestions for a Good Riddance party is the foundation for our mindful New Year's Eve. I re-read my journal for the year ... often a kind of horrifying experience. As I go, I keep notes on what I'm glad is over. I also find all kinds of good ideas and insights that I'd forgotten, so it's good to know that I was that smart in April.
Then we write it all down, put it in one of the remaining ashtrays from our previous incarnation as smokers, and set the notes on fire. Good Riddance.
Then comes the time for thanksgiving. My daughter, my son ... they've had pretty good years. Our ministries got kicked up a step. My husband survived a heart attack and is now healthier than ever. I write a letter to God ... a prayer ... that I keep in a Bible. Reading the old ones helps bring needed perspective ... and sets the stage for writing the new one.
This is followed by a great feast of rosemary olives, good cheese and crackers, Really Good potato chips, vegetarian Sloppy Joes, carrot slaw, cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries and a mocktail. Then we watch a good movie. I try not to do "Sleepless in Seattle" every time, but I love Nora Ephron movies.
In the last few years, we've got to the Night Watch at church ... a tradition coming out of the African-American churches ... and we sing and pray to welcome in the new year.
No comments:
Post a Comment