New Year’s Resolutions! Do you make them? Do you keep them?
There are so many I have made through the years with an honest to goodness meaning to carry through with them, then to let them only lay written on the paper, unheeded. Several years ago I learned the true meaning of Christmas that just may help me to keep the declarations I make this year.
I attended a Junior Auxiliary Special Friends’ Christmas party at Allied Industries two weeks before Christmas, and I was blessed by about thirty of the most precious people I have ever partied with. As we covered the tables with green plastic and placed cardboard decorations on each, I thought about my linen covered tables with the silver reindeer and glittery balls held in a big silver basket. Such a different ornamentation, yet these simple adornments were, right now, more beautiful than mine made of silver.
Why? Because these were so much more appreciated than my table would ever be. My family and friends enjoyed my Christmas decorations but these people, with their “childlike” love of everything Christmas and magical, delighted in these so modest trimmings.
Their eyes were bright with excitement and they were laughing and all talking at once. We served an easy menu of chips, dip, muffins and chocolate cake on Santa plates. It could have been caviar and Nova chocolate that we served, and it could not have been tastier or accepted better than the simple fare we offered our guests.
The entire place was filled with the laughter and smiles of delight on each face. After the meal we gave each a Santa gift bag filled with little favors. One of the sweet gentlemen gave me a rewarding hug and said “This is the best present I ever got!” God bless him.
Then we led them in two Christmas songs. I can tell you, without a doubt, “Rudolf” sounded better than any practiced choir’s version. They sang with all their hearts. We were told, as we left the party, that they had received such a blessing from our efforts , but not the blessing we had received.
So now you may understand when I tell you what my New Year’s Resolution is this year. This year, I want to be a much better person with a “childlike” heart for others. Not just those who are in need of love, but all that I come in contact with through my daily meanderings and in all my life’s journey.
I want to be humble and respectful to all of you I encounter on my daily and weekly outings. I want to be thankful for all the small and simple things in my life for the rest of my life. Just like, the precious people at Allied Industries, I want to get excited about everything that happens to me.
However, I will share with you some of my other resolutions for this year. (1) Renew my gym membership which I will NEVER use (2) Always check for toilet paper sticking to the bottom of my shoe before I leave a public bathroom (3) Get dressed before noon (4) Read entire recipe before beginning to mix ingredients (5) And, perhaps the most important one of all, really learn the exact meaning of “resolution.”
Black-eyed Peas and Hog Jowl
3 cups of water
2 small peeled white onions
¼ pound of hog jowl, cut into pieces,
Salt and pepper to taste
Sort and wash peas and place in a medium Dutch oven. Cover with two inches of water and bring to a boil, cook about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 to ½ hours. Place peas, three cups of water, onions, hog jowl, salt and pepper in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour or until peas are tender. Serve with hot cornbread.
