Staying in or going out…

homemade lasagne for one

The wild wind that has blown away 2024 and ushered in the new year with a vengeance.

I would love to go out for a new year’s walk, maybe along a beach to blow away the cobwebs. I think of New Years days in the past when the beach was but a short drive away…

Ah yes, New Years past, present and future – while some people are definitely Bah Humbug about Christmas I am a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to New Year.

The Ghost of New Year Eve Past arrives in a flurry of sequins to whisk me back in time and remind me of the parties of my youth…

A church New Year’s party in a school hall where I danced the Gay Gordon with the very tall curate is a momentary whirl. A friend’s house party where she tried to set me up with a boy who fancied her – reader SHE married him, he never had eyes for me and I’m glad, they are such a wonderful couple that no one has the power to divide.

There are parties we had when the boys were old enough to stay up, another church hall filled with family party games, a quiz, music, and so much laughter. Even a sort of party for just the three of us, staying in and playing board games, mugs of cocoa and fireworks on the telly at midnight.

The years have been kind and I fondly reminisce.

Then Ghost of New Year Eve Present appears silently in his PJs and sits beside me on the sofa as I eat my homemade lasagne for one and watch The Split Barcelona special – cheery viewing about divorce and marriage. You have to make the most of what you’ve got.

But what of the Ghost of Future New Year Eve? Is she loud and brash or demure like a retired librarian?

I really can’t tell, it’s hazy. I wouldn’t say no to a party, I nearly went to one this year. A WhatsApp arrived in mid-December in the local neighbours’ group, an open invitation, and I considered it but a few days ago the lurgy struck down the hosts and it was cancelled and I can’t say I was too upset.

So now here we are in 2025, a quarter way through the century. Should I make some plans, some resolutions?

There are a few dates in my diary, two funerals already for January, a play for February and some days away. A small sprinkling of speaking engagements throughout the year. But as yet it’s a all a bit vague. I’ve certainly not got round to planning New Year 25/26, but I enjoyed my night in on my own. It wasn’t the first and probably won’t be the last.

Happy 2025 Everyone – may it be happy and healthy and filled with lots of unexpected sparkle*

(*including nights alone on the sofa eating what you want in your PJs, watching TV or reading a good book just because you can! )