Ushering in a new year

New Year's Eve - 2010

As is tradition for our family for many years now, we like to dress up and make dinner reservations at a Chinese buffet dinner on New Year's Eve. 

It's a long standing tradition for us, one we can't imagine not doing on such an occasion. When we had wee babies at home and getting out as a family was too much of a hassle, we opted instead to bring in take out to our own dining table. And, we always played games until midnight arrived and we crossed over the threshold and into a brand new year.

The past few years we have made reservations at the same venue, and this year was no exception. I thought of my parents who have been with us the past two years, thinking how much they'd enjoy this night again and the fabulous dinner buffet they had so enjoyed. smiling...

As is also tradition, we had several cameras and cell phones in tow, so a few pictures were snapped of us as a family. I love these photos, such a rare opportunity to be all together, in one spot anymore.

This year, a few friends were invited along and all took up our offer to dress up a bit for dinner. The one on the left was a family friend staying with us for a few days, happy to have him here on his break from university.

The boys weren't sure at first and then each told of how they owned ties and great shirts to get the fancy style of the night. All looked mighty fine in their shirts and ties.

The girls (missing one in the photo above) has also fretted immensely over hair straightening, selecting just the right outfits, and were also looking very pretty.

Off we went in separate vehicles, all meeting in the restaurant lobby until such a time as they called our family to be seated. It usually averages 20-30 minutes this night to be called, so there was time for chatting and sardine-like bonding beforehand.

These friends were also invited back to join us in a few rounds of pool, wii games and the countdown via Dick Clark in Times Square. 

What a great bunch to celebrate and usher in a new year with, good sports with wearing hats and blowing horns at midnight. 

And it was a pleasure to have my hubby still awake to chime in a new year with us, having had a very long nap in the afternoon.

Our entire neighborhood seemed to be out enmasse too this year, such a bunch of noise out there for a while, evidence of others welcoming another brand new year into our lives. 

Prayer for a New Year

God grant us this year a wider view,
So we see others' faults through the eyes of You.
Teach us to judge not with hasty tongue,
Neither the adult ... nor the young.

Give us patience and grace to endure
And a stronger faith so we feel secure.
Instead of remembering, help us forget
The irritations that caused us to fret.

Freely forgiving for some offense
And finding each day a rich recompense.
In offering a friendly, helping hand
And trying in all ways to understand;

That all of us whoever we are ...
Are trying to reach an unreachable star.
For the great and small ... the good and bad,
The young and old ... the sad and glad

Are asking today; Is life worth living?
The answer is only in, loving and giving.
For only Love can make man kind
And Kindness of Heart brings Peace of Mind.

By giving love, we can start this year
To lift the clouds of hate and fear.
 

~ Helen Steiner Rice