The Tie That Binds Old Times Past

"Should old acquaintance be forgot something something la la mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot la la la la auld lang syne..." Maybe I should learn the lyrics to this song someday. The few occasions I've had to use it didn't really settle the words to this traditional Scottish tune in my mind. My growing up years rang in the new year holding hands in a very small church with a few other people singing a different song:

Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above

There were other verses, but that was as far as we ever got. I never knew about the others until looking this one up to make sure I had it right. Apparently I didn't know this one all that well either! Those other verses sounded good too. Common goals, sharing burdens, perfect love... all so much easier to sing about than to put into practice. It's a good thing Jesus is the tie that binds.
Last night Lucas had to work, so the boys and I rang in the new year with a quieter bell. We snuggled under a blanket on the couch, fireplace crackling away, reading stories and cracking jokes. "What did the windshield say to the bug?" I ask Seth. "Happy New Smear!" This brings major peals of laughter.
"Hey, Mom, I got one," He counters. (We are making these up as we go.) "What did the fist say to the mouth? Help yourself to the punch!" He's laughing so hard he can't breath. Okay. If these corny jokes seem this funny it's getting late. We settle down with a Bible story and songs. Micah's eyes droop. "Go ni-night, Mama?" Oh well. He gave it his best shot. Soon he's all tucked in and sawing logs. There is still a little while to go until 2012. Down to just one in his audience, my jokster decides he needs something else to laugh at. I agree to an episode of Life's Funniest Moments. Seth loves this special time with just Mom to himself. Me too. Guffaws turn to chuckles turn to an occasional giggle. This boy is fading fast as well. The phone rings and my hubby's sweet voice is the first I hear in this new year. After we hang up my mind runs back to all those years ago. I try to remember the blessing song. I don't quite have it, but it's close. How about Auld Lang Syne? No where near, but a few lines do stand out from the others. Someday, these precious moments will be our Auld Lang Syne, our old times past. They will never be forgotten, either. The Tie that binds us will make certain of that.
Happy New Year from the Greene family!

Snips-N-Snails

Eeeee! The water was freeeeezing! Just the way they liked it, I suppose. Wiping water from the camera lense would have been a whole lot easier if the tape holding those batteries inside the camera would have stayed put. Or if the boys would have stayed put for that matter, but there was no chance of that! They were packing as much cousin time as they could get in the scant days they had to play together. One minute they were generals surrounded by an army of Legos in the bedroom, and the next minute found two scheming, pint-sized tycoons bent on taking over Boardwalk and Park Place in the basement. We didn't get to see much of our nephew Mikey for a couple days as he and Seth stormed here and there playing at all things rough and tumble. A late night snack raid a the local grocery store took care of that. The boys trucked up one aisle and down the other, half chasing each other and half picking out treats. As we piled into the van with the boy's loot in tow, we noticed an elderly man fumbling for change in front of a pop machine. His layered cloths, unkempt hair, and overstuffed backpack by his feet spoke volumes. Lucas's eyes met mine, and we looked back at the kids. Without complaint they offered up their snacks. The man began to move on. Lucas quickly picked out what he thought the guy could use, grabbed some bottles of green tea, and ran across the parking lot. The boys peered from the windows as the man said something to Lucas and they shook hands. Seat belts clicked in and we headed on our way. Mikey held the depleated bag of goodies and offered up a contented sigh. "I wish you guys lived here all the time!"

Oh boy. This one is just going to have to come home with us someday too. Maybe Jay and Sal need a nice, quiet house next summer?