Soon be New Year 2014

We had a good Christmas this year, all the Children got a couple of presents, and there was food and chocolate.
We watched TV and DVD's, and played Charades and talked and did quite a few jigsaws.
I went to concerts my kids were singing in and listened to a representative section of the children from my community, and the adults who teach them, representing themselves and what they see as appropriate for this year. Christmas carols, bible readings, mince pies and coffee among the other parents. The children were singing.
I went to the town center one cold evening, with my youngest son who is ten years old, and we gathered with others, at the official switching on of the Christmas lights. There was a big tree in the middle and little trees around the edges of a small town center, with colored electric lights. We stood together, the children mixing with each other, the adults, wearing a lovely collection of woolly hats, and as the Scottish Pipers were playing, snow falling, the lights were switched on and we all cheered. the beginning of Christmas, they do it all across the land. And then some of the children danced and the organisers gave out prizes for the best shop window, just like they did last year.
I listen to the world news every day, keeping up with the sadness, witnessing the cycle as it turns, trying to understand how and why and who and when, and what any of can do to reduce the violence, and ease peace and safe environments with long term sustainable living conditions, into our society in my life time.
And this New Year, I will gather again with my community, sharing once more with others who gather, and we will watch fireworks light up our local part of the world, together, and sing about our wishes for the new year and maybe drink together and dance in community dances.
And, I will think of all the people I meet here, reading the messages, and the introductions, and I didn't know what to say to each and every one. There are so many.
Here is to the New Year. May we all keep walking, and keep breathing and keep each other safe on this shared journey.
Regards
HazelM.