for the sake of tradition

 for auld lang syne

 for old times sake

                        Did you know that's what Auld Lang Syne means? 
        Loosely translated...it's for days gone by, for old days, for the sake of old times. 
                       Or in the case of my family...for the sake of tradition.

     We get together, as many of us that can, every year between Christmas and the new year. We celebrate it in a big way, as in... a big amount of people. It grows bigger every year, with the addition of new members, in the way of spouses and new babies. Each one gets represented with a stocking hung on the chimney mantle. Those that forget to bring their stockings with them, get a make-shift one, or simply...a bag with their name on it. There were a number of those bags sitting on the floor below the hanging stockings. We stuff the stockings with small treasures, treats or trinkets...just a little token of fun! 
A small gift, from each "Santa" family, as a reminder that you are being thought of.



                        "Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
                              and never brought to mind? 
                         Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
                              and days of auld lang syne? 

                             For auld lang syne, my dear, 
                                     for auld lang syne, 
                           we'll take a cup of kindness yet, 
                                    for auld lang syne."
                                             -  Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne 

This song is sung every New Year at the stroke of midnight all over the world. Did you know it is an old Scottish poem? A poem based on an old song set to the tune of another old folk song? I started thinking about what auld lang syne really meant, so I looked it up and found all these little tidbits of information.  Such things as remembering old friendships. Days gone by.  Bidding good-bye to the old year... and just for the sake of old times. There are many verses to the song, the first being the one that is sung at the stroke of midnight. So, if you didn't get the chance to hum the tune or recite the lyrics, because your head was busy slumbering on your pillow... take a moment now. 

A shout goes out to my sister Helen and her husband David, for graciously hosting this family event every year and bringing everyone together into their cozy home. 

I lift my cup of gratitude for your kindness... for old times sake!