A New Year

Now that Christmas and the New Year celebrations have come and gone I would like to voice some thoughts I have had over the last couple weeks.

Our family was the recipient of some anonymous Christmas giving. First of all someone did a variation of the 12 days of Christmas for us. Each day a bag was left by our door or mailbox with a note explaining how it applied along with an ornament to match the day and something to go with that day.

Day 1: "On the first day of Christmas a friend left for me...the pears, but no partridge or tree..." (In the bag was a bunch of pears.)

Day 2: "On the second day of Christmas a friend gave to me...turtles and doves of course :)" (In the bag was found a bag of turtle chocolates and dove chocolates.)

Day 3: "On the third day of Christmas a friend gave to me... well... what the French Hens are drinking this time of year." (The bag had three bottles of sparkling grape juice.)

Day 4: "On the fourth day of Christmas a friend gave to me... Calling Birds??" (The bag included a very noisy toy bird that sang some Christmas song.)

Day 5: "On the fifth day of Christmas a friend gave to me... Golden Rings." (It was two boxes of Cheerios.)

Day 6: "On the sixth day of Christmas a friend gave to me Six geese a-laying." (This was a nice fuzzy warm blanket.)

Day 7: "On the seventh day of Christmas a friend gave to you "swans" swimming." (The bag included these funny 'rubber' ducks that lit up when we pressed on them.)

Day 8: "On the eighth day of Christmas a friend gave to you something for your milk." (We got some chocolate milk mix.)

Day 9: "On the ninth day of Christmas a friend gave to you some music to dance to." (It was a CD of Christmas music.)

Day 10: "On the tenth day of Christmas a friend gave to me the thing that scared the lords into leaping." (We got a toy Christmas monster from the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer movie.)

Day 11: "On the eleventh day of Christmas a friend gave to me what the pipers were piping." (The bag included several recorders for the kids to play.)

Day 12: "On the twelfth day of Christmas a friend gave to me...well.. ok..so drummers are guys..and you know how much guys like "fart" jokes...so ...Merry Christmas." (In the bag was 'noise putty'.)

Then on Christmas eve another neighbor left a bag of presents...one for each child in our home. We have suspicions about who may have left these things on our doorstep. But we are letting them have their reward of doing these things for us anonymously. To them I say, "THANK-YOU!!"

Other things that have been on my mind...

As I contemplated the new year and what the previous year has brought me I am found with mixed emotions. Though a old friend has fallen by the way-side (with much sadness) I have gained new ones. There is no way the new ones can replace the old...however...I am EVER so grateful for the new as I have come to care about them as I did the old.

So, to all those I call a friend, here is a toast to friendship.

PS: and that toast includes all those who have continued to be a friend....from the past on into the future.