I don’t know about you, but 2016 ended with a bang for our family.
A bang followed by an explosion of confetti. November and December were a flurry of activities. Wrestling tournaments, school and birthday parties, breakfast with Santa, middle school play, grandparents at school day. Shopping, eating, office party, guitar lessons. The list of things we thought we had to do seemed to go on-and-on. On top of all the usual hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday, we were also planning to open a new business next year. To put it simply, we have been busy!
We arrived home after dark from our kids’ most recent wrestling tournament. The temperature had dropped considerably. As many of you know, even though a farmer and his or her family have been gone all day, there are still hungry livestock waiting.
We unloaded the car and hustled kids into the showers. We bundled up in warm clothes and headed out to feed hay. We found ourselves snuggled up in the tractor doing chores in the dark. A year ago, I was really mad at my husband for buying a new tractor on New Year’s Eve. On this particular night I was thankful for his new toy’s heater, cab and buddy seat. I was able to help him get gates and peel netting off the hay. We collected eggs, broke ice and helped the kids load up the wood box. Our cattle dog was bedded down in the warm garage for the night. It was getting miserably cold. I went to sleep feeling grateful we were in this together.
After a night of freezing rain, the roads were iced over. Sunday school was canceled. I was delighted to have a full day at home. As I enjoyed my coffee by a warm fire, I considered how nice it was having nowhere to be. I wondered how we could have more days like this. This caused me to contemplate New Year’s resolutions.
Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? I consulted Wikipedia. By tradition in the Western hemisphere, we start out a new year making all kinds of lofty promises to ourselves. In the past, I have personally resolved to exercise more, read certain books of the Bible, lose 10 pounds or just “do better” at mothering, gardening and being my Nathan’s helpmate.
The Babylonians would start their new year out returning things they’d borrowed and paying off debts. I know my husband would appreciate it if his buddies returned borrowed tools to his shop on New Year’s Eve. The Romans made promises to the god Janus (January’s namesake). During Medieval times, knights would renew their commitment to chivalry by taking the “peacock vow.” Early Christians would prepare for the year ahead by praying and making resolutions. This is likely true today as well. During Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, it is a time to reflect upon one’s wrongs over the year and offer and seek forgiveness. That seemed nice to me.
After the Great Depression, about 25 percent of adult Americans began forming New Year’s resolutions. The tradition continues today. How long they are kept is debatable. At least in our home it is.
I will strive to resolve these things in 2017 – more get-togethers, fewer activities. More books, less TV. More game nights, fewer to do lists. More cows, fewer horses – wait a minute, maybe that’s reversed? I’m probably still resolving to resolve by the time you read this. Happy New Year, neighbor – best wishes from our farm to yours.
