Another Happy New Year

I was standing at the sink this morning, washing the morning dishes, preparing to soak the blackeyed peas. I thought back to the first New Year that Mike and I rang in together. It was an engagement party, December 31, 1969. We weren't really together, then. Well, Mike didn't know we were, anyway. I decided that night that I never wanted to spend another New Year's without him.

This is our 38th New Year's Eve together. We were intending to go to a party tonight, something we have not done in several years, preferring to have the neighbors over and celebrate quietly at home. We were both looking forward to this one, at a friend's house overlooking the lake with incredible views of the various community fireworks that happen all around the lake. But two days ago, Mike's back "went out" on him and yesterday he had to give up and accept that this one would require some pharmaceutical assistance and this morning it is still tender enough that we have decided to stay home together and watch the Times Square Celebration and have our traditional midnight blackeyed pea dinner.

Somehow it doesn't really matter. I will miss playing games and laughing with my friends and celebrating the dawn of another year. But I am grateful that my consolation prize is another evening at home with the couch potato of my dreams. And I am feeling truly blessed that we still find each other funny and can still stir each other like young lovers. Oh and don't "Ewwww", girls, I'm not talking about that. I am talking about how we can still surprise each other, still look into each other's eyes and feel that sudden intake of breath, still see the sweet young things we were 38 years ago through our aging, clouded vision.

I am grateful that for 38 years, I have been given the gift of spending December 31st with my best friend, the person who knows everything about me and is still willing to be with me. I am grateful that we can sit up late, fall asleep in our chairs before the tv and laugh because we both snored through all the excitement. I am grateful for the constancy, consideration, concern that we share for each other. And I am especially and forever grateful to Doris for being willing to invite an almost stranger to her engagement party for me all those 38 years ago. See, Doris? I told you.