... Everyone was dressed in their fancy duds anticipating another fabulous celebration.

One might think we’ve eaten and partied enough these past days, but one more spec ial day needs at - tention. It starts on Dec. 31 and slowly moves towards midnight before it blasts into action.

There is something magical about moving from one year into the next. Even in her 90’s, my Mom and several of her friends would fix goodies, play cards and wait for the New Year. Thanks to fantastic technology, one can welcome the New Year as it passes from one time zone to the next. Starting close to Australia, and continuing through India, Germany and finally arriving in New York, Minnesota, Denver and Hawaii, each crowd patiently waits until it is 2010 and time to sing Auld Lang Syne and wish each other a new year of happy days.

I pondered this holiday with its joy and sadness. We revel with happiness at the hope of experiencing the “new” - a new year, new opportunities and new relationships. All the “newness” sounds very attractive and promising.

On the other hand, as time moves forward, it forces us to tread into uncharted days. Time marches on without allowing us to linger or savor good friends who are moving, family members with a new out-oftown job or a loved one who died and will not be with us in the New Year.

It is important to give thanks for the good, thanks for help through difficult times and thanks for a new year giving us the opportunity to be blessed so we can be a blessing to others.

May your day be filled with joy and peace, thrills and excitement as we begin a new year.