Happy New Year

New Year's Eve used to be a holiday I hated.
I went to a big party one year.
It was at a huge, swanky hall in the northern suburbs.
Hundreds of people were there.
The women wore gorgeous, low cut evening gowns.
(Mine was a floor length, peach colored halter dress. I can still see it.)
The men wore suits and party hats.
Everyone seemed intent on getting drunk as fast as they could.
There was music and loud laughter, and "dancing."

Everyone was smooching (sloppily) at midnight.
And then, hours later, many of them were off to try to drive home in a drunken stupor.
It was surreal.
An evening of desperate partying.
People were trying so hard to have "mandatory" holiday fun.
It was depressing.


But now that I am older, I celebrate New Year's Eve differently.
I stayed home last night and watched "The Twilight Zone" marathon on the Sci-Fi Channel.
(!)

In between those wonderful old TV shows, I managed to look back at some important things I accomplished in 2007.
And I tried to forgive myself for my failures. (Many.)

I am looking forward to the new year with hope.

I'm hoping to become a better person in 2008.

I want to be a better woman.

I want to lose weight and be able to slip into my pink suit by Easter.
I want to become more physically fit, and be able to walk three miles in 40 minutes.

I want to do some volunteer work and make a difference in my community.
I want to read more books.
I want to do more writing and reporting.
I want to learn to fish.
I'd like to learn how to clean, and COOK the fish that I catch.
I'd like to learn how to shoot clay pigeons at Algonac State Park.
I want a cleaner house with a freshly painted kitchen.
I want to meet new people and have quiet, meaningful conversations with them.
I want to make a difference in some one's life.

I would like to love, and be loved.


And so I look forward to 2008 with hope.

Things can get better.

Maybe the world and the Michigan economy can get better.

Maybe even I can be better.