With the ending of the old year and the start of a new one, this time of year brings to mind both reflections on what I’ve experienced over the last year and anticipation for what is to come. Some years are better than others, but they all have both good and bad times; that’s just life. Though I don’t typically make any New Year’s resolutions, there’s still some appeal in the idea of starting over with a clean slate.

The other thing the New Year brings to mind is celebrations! I’ve lived in Scotland a couple times and if there’s one place to go for New Year’s celebrations, it’s there. The last day of the year is called Hogmanay and its origins reach back to the Viking celebrations of the winter solstice in the 8^th and 9^th centuries. If anything, it’s a bigger deal than even Christmas. There are a number of older customs related to Hogmanay, including visiting neighbors and relatives and the giving of gifts, but modern celebrations also typically include large parties and fireworks. Another Hogmanay custom is singing “Auld Lang Syne,” which was written by the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. This custom has since made its way to many other countries, including America.

So, what are you celebrating with the turn of the year? Your successes of the last year? Surviving the trials you encountered? Or perhaps the opportunity to start again? I wish you all a happy, healthy new year!