The past 24 hours have been spent in a wonderful bask of the familiar, turning the old year into the new. I have been in Three Oaks, Michigan- home of Prancer, home of my formative years. Though I actually lived in nearby Harbert, my church, high school and best friend were all located in Three Oaks, so I probably spent more time there. The New Year's Eve routine has continued on in my life despite many other differences, and it is a comforting tradition that promises to be a part of my life for a long time.
The evening is spent at Ben and Jan Ackerson's house, parents of my best friend from high school, Jericho. Her boyfriend Matt is a new addition this year, but everyone else has been around for years. Dave and Annette McCord come down from Ionia, with their son Joe, now a junior in high school. Dave brought (as always) guitars and a mandolin, and this year, Matt (a percussionist) brought drums. We all play games together until midnight, and then toast the year with sparkling white grape, peach, or raspberry. Then we play Grand Funk Railroad and Eagles covers until 1:30, when everyone falls asleep.
A few things have changed, though the evening remains the same. Jericho was injured in a horseback riding accident four years ago, leaving her partially paralyzed. She can walk, with the aid of two canes and leg braces. It hardly seems different- her laugh and quirky sense of humor remains the same. The differences are maneuvering with canes and stares from people- the worst is when well-meaning elderly ask her when she is going to get better. I have, on occasion, wanted to strangle the ignorant people that say stupid things to us when we are out, but her grace and ever-present good judgment have always swooped in at the nick of time, keeping both of us safe from my big mouth. Things can be fun, though, like when her boyfriend Matt (an ex-Marine) scoops her up and throws her over his shoulder and takes off running. I get to chase along behind, laughing and carrying canes and hoping she doesn't puke. Grace makes moments like those moments that I cherish forever; appreciating something so much because things are just a little different, or hard, or sad. Kind of like the new year.
So much has happened in the world in the last year. So much will happen this year. Grace sees us through this divine adventure. Looking forward to tomorrow, and living for today- both the agony and the delight of the calling which we have received. I'm so grateful for moments in life where everything becomes clear and time stops, because they are so unexpected. Running through a movie parkinglot in late December carrying canes may not sound like much of an epiphany, but it can be.
New Year, bring it on.
1 comment:
Lovely. Come back next year. By the way, there's a link to Jericho's blog, on mine.
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