Auld Lang Syne, Y'all

I've never been much of a New Year's reveler. When I was younger, and still into "going out", New Year's Eve always felt like a holiday for amateurs. People drank too much, put too many unrealistic expectations into the evening, and spent a ton of money on an artificially engineered "good time." Now that I'm a little more settled, I prefer to make NYE a quiet evening at home.My favorite New Year's celebration had to be last year, when Mr Mag and I toasted with a nice bottle of bubbly, and Max and I sang and danced along to the Mamma Mia! DVD. Most often, the event goes largely uncelebrated Chez Magnolia.

At the risk of sounding like a total contrarian, I don't really make New Year's Resolutions, either. It seems so very arbitrary to pick a day in January to change one's life. (Don't get me started on my personal theory that all starting points are arbitrary. It didn't win me any brownie points with my former boss, a Harvard B-School alumnus.) So, if I don't really celebrate NYE and I don't make resolutions, why am I blogging about it?

To be quite honest (and dreadfully evocative of pop-psychology imagery), 2009 has been such a terrible year for my family that I want to officially close the door on it. Give it some-- and, no, I can't believe I'm saying something this ridiculously lame-- closure. Any family whose primary source of income is derived from capital markets was impacted significantly this year. The Magnolias were no exception. These changes were difficult enough, but we also saw some scary health problems in our immediate family. We made a major move, both physically and professionally. It's been a year of upheaval and uncertainty. I don't care for a repeat anytime soon.

The odd thing about bad years is the way other people react to them. I have had many friends who've been blessed with a year of good fortune and prosperity; it's almost as though they feel the need to apologize to me for their blessings. It generally comes from a place of kindness and compassion, but I certainly don't want anyone to apologize for their happiness and good fortune. I have certainly had my share of "high cotton" years, and hope to enjoy them again.

As for resolutions, I remain -ahem- resolute in my refusal to compile them. However, I do hope that I can commit a little more time to my blog in the New Year. I really want to make it more interesting and special--something that gives my dear friends like y'all a reason to keep reading.

So, my friends, whether you've had a wonderful or terrible 2009, I wish you a New Year filled with blessings, happiness, prosperity and contentment.