The New Year is rapidly approaching, and more often than not, we will usher it in with some rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Written by Robert Burns, in 1788, it’s a song about reflecting on times gone by, relationships, and acquaintances.

The Scots Lyrics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’lltak‘ a cup o’ kindness yet,by
for auld lang syne.

A fitting song to culminate the holiday season, as it speaks of the inevitable loss quite a few of us felt, as we celebrated the holidays with missing place-settings in our hearts.

Death of anything, albeit relationships, circumstances, or of the physical body, is synonymous with change; occurring without permission, and often unwelcome.

If you have been riding the cognitive dissonance rollercoaster; frolicking festivities, intermittently combined with melancholy,  as we trouped our way through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now the eminent New Year, you are not alone. We all hold space with your pain, because no one’s heart has been left unscathed.

What I have decided to do, in preparation of the next holiday season, is change my perspective of loss. Instead of mourning loss, I am going to celebrate. Over this coming year, I am going to have photographs copied and reduced in size, to be used in the creation of Christmas ornaments. Future heirlooms, celebrating  past moments, and loved ones that helped shape my life, so that the stories, and the people connected with the photos will never die. A tree of celebration.

I’ll leave you with this song. It reminds me of the importance of being fully present, for our lifetimes are but a blink in the span of time. May we love deeply, and hold fast to the faith that the adventure awaiting us in the great beyond, “must be very good.”

Lotus