WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
I can never hear the words of Auld Lang Syne nor hear the tune, without thinking of my dear family in England. I think back to my younger days when my parents and all my siblings were alive. In the North East of England we celebrated New Year's Eve very much like the Scots do and it was looked forward to by most adults.
My fascination started for this celebration at a very young age, my mother used to set the table up with food and drinks for 'first footers', bearing their lumps of coal and those who followed afterwards. There was also a pan of thick, pea and ham soup kept hot...to warm the frozen bodies as they made there way from door to door. I can still remember the excitement that I felt on being allowed to stay up through the wee hours and meeting all the visitors. One year my father took my brother Peter and I around first footing with him, just locally though. We ate, drank and even danced in some of the homes....ahhh what fond memories. Today I think of my parents who passed on several years ago and also three of my brothers who are no longer with us. So the excitement that I used to feel has been tinged with immense sadness and regret that these loved ones are no longer here.
I have many things to feel thankful for though, a loving family here in Australia, which include my son's Stephen and Richard, and his wife, Gail, who is more like a daughter to me, their children, Chantelle and Matthew....darling children that mean so much to me. My darling husband, Mel, who I love very deeply and who is also my best friend. Also my loving family that are in England....too many to mention, but which include my brother, Mick, sisters, Pat, Roz, Lil and their families.
I have also made many beautiful friends from all over the world, thanks to the Internet, friends who always have a kind word of support or help.
I love you all
Wishing you all the best for a much better and happier, not to mention 'SAFER', New Year.
Special thanks to 'Webmoments' for this wonderful firework show...and to the creator, David O'Brien.
Special thanks also, go to Matt Gabbert for the wonderful Document firework script (the lovely shooting stars that follow you every where are his)...why not pay him a visit at his site. http://www.nolag.com/
