Soon we will all be singing Auld Lang Syne as that mighty crystal ball drops in New York City ushering in the New Year with all of its chances, goals and mystique. That is the moment. That is the second on this earth every year when you are looking ahead to another three hundred and sixty-five days and thinking about all the amazing things that could occur. At that one moment in time, everything is still fresh and new, and absolutely anything is possible. If you’re an entrepreneur, perhaps this is the year that you will open that long-awaited business and become bigger than Trump, himself. Perhaps you will write the next bestselling novel and your name will be mentioned by the media in the same sentence as, Jane Austen, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and the beloved J.K. Rowling. Perhaps you will sing out the words to Auld Lang Syne so loudly and with such perfection that the whole wide world will stop to listen, because you’ve just proven that you are the next Justin Bieber. That’s the moment of sheer nirvana – where you look forward to being the ‘best of the best’ in 2012.
But there is something that also happens at that moment, and is the basis of the song you will be singing; the rhetorical question of whether or not it is right that ‘old times be forgotten.’ The answer? Absolutely not. This old song is a call – a shout out to the ones you love. These lyrics remind you of the friends who have stood beside you during your toughest times, and the family members that were so precious in your life who have now been taken up to Heaven – to run free in the fields with St. Francis and his animals. The losses that 2011 brought to many were difficult – more than a few hearts were broken. But those ‘days gone by,’ and the people who graced us with their presence and left our world far too soon, should most definitely be remembered and coveted for all time. Here are just a few…
Elizabeth Taylor: Her heart gleamed brighter than her jewels.
Jack LaLanne: Attempted to get the world off fast food and onto his workout machines.
Betty Ford: A woman who struggled with her own illness while fighting for the best that this country had to offer
Steve Jobs: The heart of a warrior, the soul of an angel, and the mind of a genius
Elliot Handler: Without him – no Barbie, no Hot wheels, no childhood.
Clarence Clemons: He was ‘The Boss’ – even Springsteen will agree.
Amy Winehouse: A spirit that was too late to save, but a voice that will live on forever
Al Davis: Go Raiders!
Andy Whitfield: Spartacus!
Arch West: Life without Doritos would’ve ‘sucked cheese.’
Arthur Laurents: West Side Story, Gypsy, La Cage Aux Folles – a true writer!
Bill Keane: Taught us what a ‘circus’ a family can be in every newspaper across the globe.
Bubba Smith: Moses Hightower in Police Academy. The laughs kept on coming…
Cliff Robertson: An Academy Award didn’t stop him from standing up for what was right!
Dan Wheldon: He went out in a blaze of glory doing what he loved, and sped quickly through Heaven’s gate.
Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham: a strong woman who brought the rest of the world one of the strongest women we will ever meet…and we NEED her!
Duke Snider: The Brooklyn Dodgers were lucky.
Harmon Killebrew: The ‘Killer’ who could hit a home run with his eyes closed.
Heavy D: The kindest man that anyone had ever met…and the most talented.
Jane Russell: Stunning…
Joe Frazier: An icon in the ‘ring’ and out.
Jerry Robinson: Without the Joker, Batman just wouldn’t have been Batman.
Michael Gough: A slew of films and the ‘watcher over Batman’ – again, the ‘Caped Crusader’ took the hit.
Anne McCaffrey: The science fiction writer who went out with pen in hand and imagination flowing.
Peter Falk: There will never be ANY detective as good as Columbo. There is just NO chance!
Harry Morgan: M.A.S.H. said it all, and Colonel Potter was the one we all wanted as our grandfather.
Yes…there were more. In all aspects of life – political, social, music, movies, directing, writing music, sports – people touched our lives on so many levels that they will never be forgotten. As people, we have had our own personal tragedies, as well. And we will never forget our own families and friends who are now in those fields with St. Francis watching over us and making sure that we do not join them before our time.
This writer’s saddest loss of 2011 was the great, Andy Rooney. The wit, the charm – from the writing to the delivery – he knew what life was about, what was going wrong, and didn’t apologize. An inspiration and a voice that is sorely missed.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11: Nothing to say…silence…
And our men and women who fought courageously: Thank God for them…
Everyone has their story of loss – some quick, some tragic, some a slow, final bow as they move on to reunite with their loved ones who have gone before. But the memories of each day, each second that we had with them, need to never be forgotten. They need to be cherished; stories need to be told of the person they were; the wisdom they offered needs to be passed down to the next generation; and the humorous moments that we were lucky enough to be a part of, as well as the sheer spirit that they brought into our lives, has to be remembered.
So as this New Year comes to pass and we gear up for a 2012 that we hope will be filled with luck, light, and laughter, we must always remember the beauty of the people who touched our lives and shared with us the ‘gifts’ that God gave to them.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne…
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared,
since auld lang syne.
And here’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Have a Safe and Blessed New Year
Until Next Time, Everybody.
Amy
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