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here was no champagne, no party hats, and no old friends,
BUT, I had one of the BEST NEW YEAR’S EVES EVER!
My boyfriend’s family is what I call old-school. They feel
the more the merrier, and when they have a party they invite the entire family.
Since they exclude no one, this can easily mean thirty people plus. My
boyfriend has ten cousins and they all have children. They are so welcoming and
friendly (not only to me) but, some of them even travel with their mother-in-law!
The mother of these ten children, my boyfriend’s Aunty Leonie…is highly
revered. It’s clear to see that she is the person who years ago created a space
for all this love to grow. She remains at the helm.
Five o’clock is dinner. When we arrived half the family came
to the door to greet us. I immediately felt
welcomed. They took our coats and then gave us their full attention.
There were so many of us for dinner we decided to eat in
shifts. And while half the family ate the other socialized. One truly notable
thing is the absence of alcohol, especially at the holidays. They just don’t drink.
Yet, the atmosphere is so celebratory. The spirit is in the air and not a glass.
Every bit of food was homemade from the lasagna to the fish
to the eggplant. I sipped Aunty Leonie’s made from scratch sublime flower based
purple drink. WE enjoyed our meal over a conversation about positive thinking and
how much our thoughts can affect our lives. Everyone had a turn to be heard.
Gathering around the table like that created a loving and respectable feeling.
The night kept getting better.
After dinner the highlight of the evening was watching the movie
ELF! What was so special about this
was watching it with a room filled with happy people WHO HAD NEVER SEEN IT
BEFORE! The laughter kept escalating. Will Ferrell naturally was a hit and I think
I scored some points for not only suggesting the movie but for bringing my copy
of it.
Everyone moved back to the kitchen for tea and cookies and a bit more
laughter. Later we hit the road but reluctantly. No one wanted us to leave. I
can’t tell you how good that feels. Knowing you are genuinely wanted is the
best feeling. I got hugs from everyone and two from the youngest little girl
(who had earlier been playing with my hair and now holding my hand). Several
family members walked us to the door. “Don’t be a stranger. Come back soon. Thanks
so much for the movie.” They huddled together at the door and watched us walk
to our car. As one big family unit they stood in the doorway waving as we drove
off. I felt so complete. It was a night of love, of family, and of making new friends.
It was a perfect New Year’s Eve that kept getting better.
When I got back home I was welcomed by the glow of the Eternal Aunty Candle…. a lovely white candle
in honor of my late great Aunty Helen. And since it was still New Year’s Eve I had
another special candle ready and waiting.
That morning I had found out about an old but true holiday saying. A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings
Joy to the heart and Gold to the pocket! So, I lit my special good luck
candle and made my wish. As I sit now at my computer on the first day of the
New Year I can already feel it coming true.
And my new year’s promise to you (readers of Ageless) is the same. Around here we
have endless amounts of JOY. And, given my new prosperous attitude, GOLD IN THE
POCKET is next! It’s there…I can feel it…….. I CAN’T’ be low on funds and
struggling forever. Rich in spirit always$ now Rich in pocket too!
I would like to bestow those same good wishes and truths to YOU! Whatever you want and need can be
yours. All you have to do is believe from
your molecules. Everything else is taken care of….. 2014=LUCKY SEVEN
