While in my twenties my siblings and I would often spend it with my parents. We'd make strawberry banana daiquiris, dance, hoot and holler, giggle hysterically shouting out, "It's all fun and games 'til some one gets hurt." And when someone did something really stupid, we started all over doing silly things, shouting our favorite tag line (usually while doing something that could go awry) until we were appropriate burbled and celebrating the ball going down.
This morning I wondered why I always felt like I should be at home during those celebrations. It was great fun being with my siblings.. but at the same time I never ever wanted to disappoint my mother. It made her sad if we weren't there.. so we'd be there, most years.
This year my original plan was to see a movie and go volunteer at the hospital, doing the Reiki combining fun and giving.
Instead I stayed home, was alone but not lonely, with my ailing pooch and a good book. I've done the go out and party with friends while single. I've done go out and party all dressed up with all the bells and whistles.
What I found I loved most was celebrating at home with family, friends and children. All together, making some type of meal, enjoying the closeness, playing games. A celebration of family not booze.
This year the kids (sons 24 and 19) were with friends, spending the night presumably drinking like parched fish. My daughter (15) was at her cousin's probably being offered champagne but going for sparkling cider.
Three minutes before midnight, I sent them a Happy New Year's text signing it from me and our dog. Five minutes into the new year my nineteen year old called me to wish me a Happy New Year. What a gift that was. He asked what I'd been doing. "Oh, pooch and I have been howling at the moon, playing 'pound it' (what our dog does instead of shaking paws) and seeing whose tail can wag the most." He politely laughed and let me know he was thinking of me.
And that was a wonderful New Year's Eve. And this morning, I was happy that my kids didn't need to feel like they needed to protect me. Pretty neat.
