Here comes a new year. I find it interesting how we look at the beginning of a New Year with such fanfare after all: isn’t it just another day? Nope. We have made it a time of celebration, resolutions, and a time for reflection. The first celebrations date back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon, so I guess we’re just carrying on tradition.
The topic of how “we” (Americans) celebrate New Year’s has come up in my house because we are (a bit unexpectedly) hosting an exchange student from Japan. Her name is Saki and she joined our household at the beginning of December and will stay through June. She is not our first Japanese “daughter”, but we continue to learn some of Japan’s general and regionally-specific customs. In addition to our conversation about American and Japanese New Year customs, we also looked at other countries/cultures from around the world. Here is an article showing different traditions: https://bestlifeonline.com/
When discussing New Year traditions, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Walleye Drop in Port Clinton, Ohio. What started seemingly as a joke 25 years ago is still going strong. The small town of Port Clinton – the “Walleye Capital of the World” – has grabbed national attention with the descent of its 600lb fiberglass Walleye. My apologies for not sending this out to you on New Year’s Eve so all could take part in person or virtually. Put it on your calendars for next year. If you don’t believe me this happens: https://www.dispatch.com/
As we begin a New Year, I want to share a quote I came across by Benjamin Franklin that I find very pertinent: “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
I wish for you and your loved ones a very promising and healthy New Year!
Please remember that we are “here” and available for you as well. If you have any questions or concerns, financial or otherwise, please do not hesitate to call or email. If you have friends, family, or neighbors you feel would benefit from a conversation with me, I’m more than happy to have a call or jump on a Zoom meeting with them.
As always, I hope that you are doing well, and staying safe & healthy!