How did you welcome in the new year?
We lit a fire and stood around it in the freezing cold, watching the flames flicker, the dog snap at flying sparks, and Sam pile on the logs. Now that he is 12, he was finally allowed to fulfill his life long ambition to swing an axe, so we had a winter's worth of kindling stacked up. (Probably three bonfires worth-- remember, this is South Carolina.)
The family loved it at first. We roasted a couple marshmallows, poked at the fire, enjoyed the smell of the smoke and the quiet of the night. But eventually the grandparents got cold, Ben and Sarah got bored, and Sam got spooked by a ghostly voice from the tree house up the hill, leaving Todd and me all by our lonesome, fireside.
It was kind of nice.
We were quiet at first.
In some ways, it's been a really tough year.
We were glad to throw our worries of 2010 into the flames.
The car accident. The health scare that turned out to be nothing, but petrified us for a while. The wandering on my part, wondering what God might hold for me in the future. What to do, where to put my energy.
We talked a little but we didn't need to say much. Each of us knew what the other was thinking, doing. Tossing into the flames all the balled up, pent up worries and struggles of 2010. Sending them into the fire, to turn to ash, then settle at the bottom or let the wind lift them into the night, away from us, into the sky.
It was a good way to start 2011. Letting go of the worries and disappointments and fears of the past, freeing my hands for whatever life gives me in this new year.
I'm so thankful for new beginnings. Aren't you?
And I'm thankful for dear friends like you, both online and across the street, who share this crazy, wondrous life with me.
I wish you only God's best for 2011!
Much love, Becky
14 comments:
Happy New Year, Becky. A big log fire sounds perfect.
Great visual, Becky - let 2010 burn up and be gone and create a clean slate for 2011. Love this post!
Becky, I love that story. I found myself there and wishing I had done the same. But in FL not really cold enough on New Year's eve for that. :) Blessings this New Year.
That sounds like the perfect way to celebrate New Year's Eve!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us Becky. Yeah, 2010 has been, hm, tough. We too, huddled close to a fire, albeit an indoor wood stove one, but the real warmth for us also was the company, all gathered in and ultimately thankful to be ringing in the New Year together. Blessings to you, yours, and the Plans He has for us all.
Happy 2011 to you, also!
I am ... and I love how you explained it using the fire. Here's to a remarkable 2011! :-) (Did you ever discover the source of the ghostly voice from the tree house?! :-)).
What YOU are is a writer! You make me feel connected, realize I'm not alone in this human roller coaster existence.
I've read a few accounts of 2010 in the last few days and it seems most of us (including me) had jolting bumps in the road, but the common thread in all the stories was hope!
Our family got together on New Year's, burning the annual Grumph Monster full of handwritten notes and fireworks. There was much hooting and hollering as all that Grumphy negativity went up in exploding flame and smoke. It was a fine night and along with the fun there was rebooting of neglected relationships. A good start to 2011.
Happy New Year, you! One thing I'm looking forward to this year is another Rebecca Ramsey book. XO
shalom to you, Becky, as you journey thru this new year...
MUCH love!
I'm with you...happy for a new year. And so grateful His mercies are new every morning. Happy New Year, Becky. Many blessings.
I love bonfires...and the burning of regrets or worries. Many blessings for 2011, may it be a year of grace.
Beautiful post, Becky. Love your photo and how it ties in to letting go of the disappointments of the past year. I think we all need to do that very thing--let go of the old and embrace the new--whatever that may be.
Wishing you a joy-filled New Year, filled with God's love.
P.S. Now I'm craving toasted marshmallows. ;)
What a wonderful way to start the New Year! And I'm guessing you didn't literally throw things into the fire, but you could have! That would have been a great way to say "adios" to those things of the past!
That sounds perfect. Very symbolic. Everyone loves a clean slate. Last year was hard for so many. And yet there is good too. Let's hope this new year brings many blessings!
Happy New Year!
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