Four millennia and several years ago, the Babylonians celebrated the new year by paying tribute to their pagan gods with the Feast of Akitu. Later the Romans rang in the new year by exchanging gifts of figs and honey and wearing red underwear for good luck. But I think the Dutch do it best by eating donuts called oliebollen and joining10,000 people in a plunge into the sea on the beach of Scheveningen, emerging chilled, to bowls of pea soup.
Though we won’t be plunging into frigid waters or eating pea soup here in Bucks County this year, we do intend to pop the cork on some Pol Roger and dine on shrimp and rib eye. We will also celebrate with a toast at Kristin and Cori’s home, in pjs, amongst friends, with games and conversation, and laughter.
My only resolution this year is to continue to seek out the company of those who are schooled in the art of civility. Anyone who needs guidelines look no further than Washington’s list compiled at the tender age of 16. Also, if you want a great read, check out Amor Towle’s novel of the same name (and one of my very favorite reads in the last half century). If you’re a fan of glitter, glamour and graciousness you’ll simply LOVE this book!
The next two days will be filled with champagne celebration, reflection, and visions of intended manifestations. For me, novels. For Steph, “accelerating the development of oncology drugs through excellence and innovation in clinical trial operations.”
This New Year’s we’re going to make like the peasant-proto-romantic poet Robert Burns, champagne flute in hand and “take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.“
Happy New Years dear family, friends and readers. May 2019 be filled with liberty and civility for all.