New Years

December 31, 2014 9:30pm

I sit on my forty-year old couch. We are old friends. It was the first “real” piece of furniture Roger and I bought while living in the Mid-West. Though it has worn many colors and fabrics through its life, and cushions its have been replaced, it still fits my body just right. I love the solid wooden ends; something that has endured and quietly accompanied me through so many homes and lives.

White, Haitian Cotton originally graced its body.  The white was soon replaced as It has lived through lifetimes of dogs and children. The essence of the piece has remained the same through seven places I’ve called home.

In contrast, spread out before me are the contents of my Memory/Gratitude jar. I broke with tradition this year. Instead of reading each one and placing it on the fire before moving on to the next, I spread them out. There, in all their glory are the moments of this year.

I’m always happily surprised at some of the things that warranted a note; some are weather-related, others mark birthdays and annual celebrations, and some are just little snatches of life that brought such joy.

It is particularly interesting to see the start-date of a relationship that has become, over the last 12 months, an integral part of everyday life and thoughts. Hard to imagine that person didn’t exist in my life ever before.

But then, none of the events noted here ever occurred before either. So that is my lesson tonight. The next 12 months will bring unimaginable joys and rewards. Keep recovering the couch and the things that get a little shabby along the way, and hang on to the solid ends which support you…