Five Minutes In

The end was near, the count down of the all too familiar 10... 9... 8... was soon upon me and I was feeling a little melancholy.

This New Years Eve was spent at home with my family – who all happened to be asleep as the countdown quietly rang in my head. Feeling that I had to some how mark the transitions between old and new, I poured myself a Guinness, woke my dog and pulled her outside to sit on the back porch to watch the winter moon. With one hand wrapped around a pint and the other scratching Nikka’s ear, I toasted the waxing winter moon welcoming in the newest year yet. Thoughts of debauchery and craziness of past New Years raced in my head as I could not shake the feeling that I was some how missing out this time 'round. The crisp winter night air quickly chased me back inside so I followed the very willing Nikka back into the house only to hear the beeping of my watch marking the official Timex 0000 hrs. Seemingly, another sad reminder of the fact that I was “not doing anything for New Years”. I felt the erg to give my Nana a call thinking that she would answer with the always expected cheerful “Happy New Year!” When she was alive, it did not matter where I was, I always knew that I could call Nana just after midnight knowing she was waiting for a call. I miss that. Still feeling down I decided to do the rounds in my house to get my New Years kiss fix. First was Rownan, he didn’t even budge when I wished him a Happy New Year. I startled Braun with a kiss on the cheek but he stayed sleeping. Kellee was so tired I am not sure it even registered what I whispered into her ear. When I was done I retreated back to the kitchen to finish my pint and sulk some more when I heard foot shuffles down the hallway. Rownan was up. He walked right past me with a “just woke up – eyes still adjusting to the bright lights look”. I called to him and he sleepily informed me that he had to pee. After he was done, I carried him to bed and laid him down whispering to him again “Happy New Year Buddy” and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Now remember he is three and we have never wished him a Happy New Year before while he was awake nor had we talked about it to him.

His response with hugging arms was

“Happy New Years to you Dad.”

Now THAT was the New Years Eve something special I was looking for.

Two things I had leaving his room - a big smile and a tear in my eye.

Five minutes into 2007 and I already have had a Happy New Year - not bad...

Thnx Rown