Wow, 2010!

Doesn't that sound futuristic? I mean, coming from a girl that was born in 1963, it sounds surreal. Before the clock struck 12 this morning, I couldn't stop smiling. There's something to be said about seeing in the new year, especially with Boo. He works nights so I reminded him that I really wanted him to be home before 12 so that we could bring in the New Year together and he made it happen. He was home at 11:51.

We ran outside and gazed at the mountains that are close enough to touch (almost) behind our house and there, glowing in what I call "alien green" were the words Happy New Year at the highest peak of the mountain. We kissed under the moonlight while gazing up at the words. I ran to get my camera and each picture that I took, the words never showed up. Boo told me that he would take a picture of it in the morning but by this morning, the words were gone. I am beginning to wonder if those words were meant for just our eyes only. There is no explanation as to how those words got there...especially since someone would've had to hike and mountain climb to reach the highest peak.

As we rang in the new year, I reminisced. I thought of when I was little girl, my family always spent New Year's eve in church, praying the new year in. The firecrackers and gunshots would ring out but the pastor would continue praying until he was ready to say, "Amen". We stumbled towards the car, half sleep and then finally, into bed.

The next morning, the house would smell like soul food cooking. My mom made greens, black eyed peas and rice and the type of meat changed each year. We ate neckbones, short ribs or chicken and sometimes, there was hog maws and chitlins. I still remember the smell of them cooking...it stunk worse than toes and bad breath combined! As years went by though, the menu changed and chitlins and hog maws were eliminated (due to it being bad for the blood pressure and other stuff.) My favorite part of the New Year was watching the Rose Parade on television and then the Rose Bowl with my dad. I didn't quite understand football but those were quiet moments spent with my dad.

I anticipate this new year. I've heard some people say that they fear what lies ahead this year but I am embracing each and every moment that God gives me. I want to listen more, be still more, be patient more, to learn more, to give more and to love more. If that is all that happens this year, then I know that my year will be filled with contentment.

Happy New Years, my friends.