It Is A New Year

Kathleen Ahern

Childrens' Librarian

I don’t know about you but there is something about the beginning of a new year that feels awash in excitement and opportunity. And although I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions in the traditional sense, I’m all about tradition when it comes to New Year’s Eve. The traditions my sweet husband and I share involve our individual and collective perspectives, hopes, efforts and dreams. 

Our first tradition finds us at our computer to watch a 1993 Oprah show where Ms. Winfrey is conversing with her beloved mentor Maya Angelou.  One of the things Ms. Angelou shared was her personal perspective and experiences related to the concept and practice of “courage.”  She believed “courage” to be the most important of all the virtues. Without courage, any virtue can be practiced, but only sporadically. With the practice of courage comes opportunities for consistency. And it is the consistent practice of common virtues – kindness, respect, trust, charity, acceptance, compassion, honesty, humbleness, gratitude - that can change each of us and others with whom we share this world.  We have watched this powerful program for the last twenty-five years.  We can’t imagine our New Year’s Eve without it. 

Next, we have a feast of some of our favorite foods and then head outside with our New Year’s bowl, slips of paper and matches. We each take paper and write our regrets for the year-about-to-end. We put them into the bowl and burn them, watching our regrets vanish into the silence of the night.  Next, we write our hopes and dreams for the New Year and place them into the bowl. We set them ablaze and watch their embers rise toward a sky hanging with stars. Like gossamer threads they soar upward and outward, carrying our individual wishes along with our shared hope for this world to be a more peaceful and equitable place for all.   

Finally, we head inside and see if we can actually make it until midnight. The older we get, the less likely that is to happen. But it matters not, for we have done what is meaningful and traditional to us.  How about you?  Do you have traditions?  And do any of them involve reading or finding a comfortable spot in which to simply “be”?  If so, I hope you know we’re here for you at Neill Public Library.  We have an abundance of reading material, including books to check out or download to your devices. And, our comfortable chairs, quiet nooks and helpful staff await you. Happy New Year!  Happy Reading!