This New Year’s celebration was a small one; just us and our
immediate families. But it was most certainly my favorite New Year’s ever! As we
played games through the passing of the year, I thought about past New Year’s
Eve celebrations. My now-husband asked me on my first date the New Year’s
before he turned 16. The year before that I had spent the turning of the year
on my family’s couch, praying that somehow the next year wouldn’t be so lonely.
(A prayer which was most certainly answered beyond what I had dared to dream)
This New Year’s was certainly the best by far ;) His parents
always have the ball drop event from New York City on the television for the last
2 minutes or so and then celebrate the ‘official’ beginning of the New Year
with a kiss. As we were at their house for our celebration, we joined in by
sharing a kiss of our own (and maybe a few more ;).
After the festivities when we decided it was time to head
out, I persuaded my husband to come out into the back yard with me to look at
the stars. He willingly complied, even though it was FREEZING outside. We talked
for a minute or two, and then he pulled me into a hug. I looked up at the stars
again, and suddenly, the sky seemed to be a representation of our future; each
star in the heavens representing brilliant moments of growth and learning through
which we will pass together, and each one shining gloriously.
Some of these learning spurts we have already overcome, and
they have taught me that there can be beauty even in the midst of great pain –
but we usually can’t see it until we can look back at the experience from a
good distance. But still they are beautiful, defining moments in our lives.
A favorite verse of scripture is found in the book of Ether.
Jared and his people have been spared at the Tower of Babel and now are
wondering where they should go. Jared asks his brother, “saying: Go and inquire
of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us
out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord
will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth?” (Ether
1:38)
Yes, the future is seemingly uncertain, and there are many things
to cause us fear or uncertainty. But, as Jared said, who knows? The
future will probably be glorious. Maybe the Lord will give us not only good, but the best. All we need to do is follow Him, keep His commandments,
and obey His word and we are promised all the blessings of heaven.
And so, Happy New Year!! May it be filled with love,
purpose, and light.
