Half Cent Watch Night Party

How exciting to prepare for the long New Year's Eve night activities! Everyone would gather in the fellowship hall of the church for a covered dish supper - we were there for set up at 4 pm.

I loved covered dish suppers. There was always Mrs. Putnam's home made tapioca pudding - so light, creamy and fluffy you could eat a barrel full and think you were in heaven. And Mrs. Hayes' home made white cake with coconut frosting - oh, man. And the Mrs. Bearis' pastries were to die for. I have never tasted anything like it since - Hungarian as I recall. And the usual goulash, scalloped potatoes, fresh yeast rolls, real butter, green bean casseroles, Jello, - I can smell the amazing aromas even now, all mixed in with coffee, tea, and Koolaid.

I would eat and eat and eat until I could barely breathe. What a treat not to worry about whether all the brothers and sisters were getting their fair share. This was a smorgasbord of all-you-want. We kids sat at little tables and chowed down while the adults took their time, interspersing eating with conversation.

After we ate, the game tables were set up and we got to play checkers, chess, Monopoly, Parcheesi and other board games with adults! It was so much fun beating them (and seeing them grin because we both knew they allowed it).

Most of the time, I managed to get out of the game playing, unless some adult insisted that I play. I preferred running around and investigating all the little closets and crannies of the grand old building, playing in the sand box, and watching the babies get fed their bottles. I was free to go wherever I wanted and nobody bothered me or worried over me.

Eventually, my Dad would ring the bell and we would wind up our activities and head into the sanctuary to end the old year and begin the new in prayer. We started out with a hymn and a Scripture reading and a short meditation. Then we commenced praying silently and out loud as a group.

This was the hardest part for me. I struggled to keep my eyes open during the long and drawn out praying the adults did. I knew I was supposed to be repenting of my sins and waiting on God to direct me in the upcoming year's activities. But my head would drop down, then jerk up with a start as I dozed off mid thought. Sometimes I knelt, just because I was so tired and it was easier to pretend to be awake from a kneeling position.

The men's voices would drone on and on and on and at some point, I fell deep asleep. All of Mom's poking and pinching could not keep an eager child awake. When at last the praying was over, everyone greeted each other with wishes for a Happy New Year. Mom would rouse us and wriggle us into our coats, pushing us out into the cold night air and into the chilly car for the ride home.

I groaned and cried and stumbled along, shivering and whining. Not an auspicious start to the new year. I just wanted to be snuggled down in my own little bed and left alone. Yet every year I looked so forward to the Watch Night service. In my teens and twenties, this ritual took on much more significance, and now that there are no more Watch Night services, I miss them.

I do my own version of them at home alone, but I no longer wait for 11:30 to begin. I simply make my peace with God before bed, reaching out in prayer and song and Scripture, connecting with the most important person last in the old year and first in the new.

I wish you a great 2011, and a tight connection with the good Lord that lasts you all year.

Where Did the Time Go

I can't believe it is time to head back to New York. It seems as if we just arrived. I haven't had nearly enough hugs and kisses and silly games with my girls. Sugar is still learning how to harass the littlest dog Grace. Not to mention the parrot. But leave we must. Our time is up.

In the predawn gray of morning, I rise, make the comfy bed, and tuck my things back in my black duffel bag. It doesn't take me long. I have learned over the years to travel light. Make do. Basics only, and don't kid yourself that you will actually *do* anything like work or read or projects while you are there, even if you wanted to.

I tiptoe to the bathroom and then quietly make my way to the living room where I awaken Kiel. He grunts and rolls over, resisting rising. Drew is even worse to get started in the morning. Come on, boys. We need to get on the road and underway so we get home before midnight. I pile my few things near the door.

DJ comes out to say goodbye, followed by Katie, half asleep and sweet in her innocence. Kelly slowly wanders in our direction while the boys struggle to get packed and arrange the car and the dog for our long drive. I hug everyone. I hug them again. I whisper "love you's" in their ears and they cuddle their heads on my shoulder.

I want to kidnap them, tuck them in the back seat and take off. But I know I can't. They would miss their Mom and Dad terribly. And I haven't the energy to keep up with their activity. Running, jumping, playing, giggling, painting, romping with the dogs, chasing ducks, turning somersaults - I get tired just watching them!

We climb in the car, pray, and head up the long steep driveway to the street. I look back. They are inside, probably already back in bed snoozing happily, delaying their sadness at not having Gramma and Unc's to spend their day with. And Sugar. They love Sugar. Sugar gazes confused at me, whining quietly. She does not understand.

It is a long and quiet morning. No one talks, no music, no audio book. Each of us wanders in our own world, missing our cuties and recalling the sweet kisses and hugs, the laughter and happiness, packing it into our memories for the long drought ahead. I am already thinking about the next trip down.

The New Mall

Last fall, Tangier Outlets built a new mall in Mebane, NC - just around the corner from where my darling grand daughters live. It is a glorified strip mall filled with the mark-down version outlets of pricey name-brand stores - Osh Kosh and Polo Ralph Lauren and sax 5th ave and such. The complex is complete with covered outdoor walkways and numerous little eating places plus - the big draw for Katie and Kelly - a playground!

Despite the snow and ice that had made an appearance in North Carolina previous to my arrival, we headed out in high hopes of a delightful time. I am not much on shopping (meaning I never have money to spend on such stuff), but the thought of playing with the girls was very enticing.

We drove around and around looking for a parking lot and finally managed to squeeze their big black maxi van into a corner spot. The wind whipped our hair and stung our cheeks with dust as we trudged along the sidewalk to the mall entrance. Ice lined the walkways and we slipped and slithered along despite stepping carefully. It didn't bode well for the playground.

Alas! When we finally made it to the slides and swings, they were slopping wet from snow melt off. The spongy flooring beneath our feet was laced with puddles. Katie cried. She wanted to go down the slide, but it was so wet. Her Mom tried to dry it off enough for her to go down without getting drenched, but it wasn't an entirely dry ride.

Kelly was afraid to climb up, and even the coaxing of the two rowdy uncles did little to convince her to venture forth. The best we could manage was to stand where the sun was shining, away from the awning that was showering down icy cold water, and bounce on the rubber matting. The girls finally allowed us to lead them tearfully away from the uncooperative playground and wander the streets of the mini mall.

We went in a few stores, but in the end, decided to just go to McDonald's for lunch where we found a wonderful indoors playground with a musical slide and lots of climbing apparatus to play on. Not a totally lost cause, but certainly not what we had in mind when we started out.