The Misconception of a New Year (standard:humor, 908 words)
Author: Godspenman	Added: Jan 01 2023	Views/Reads: 585/388	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The secret to a happy life is enjoying what I have right now.

Christmas is the best time of the year, especially when it involves
family. It's the one time of the year that families get together to 
celebrate together. 

Of course, at least from my perspective, it is also the most hectic time
of the year. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has an entirely 
different perspective regarding family get-together time. 

This year, we had a special new family member, our second
great-grandchild, born a week before Christmas. 

As you might imagine, that little one was the center of everybody's
attention. Therefore, everybody had to hold the little one at least 
once. 

I could see the little one had absolutely no idea what was happening.
Although these were wonderful memories for us, that little one will 
never remember this time together. But there will be other times, I 
assure you. 

One daughter was taking pictures of just about everyone, which is
important. The one picture she took, and I probably was the only one 
who understood, was between The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and 
that little great-granddaughter. 

The beauty of that picture was there was the oldest and the youngest
person in our family together. Don't let her know that I said this 
because I may not get any older. 

It was a fun time, and when it was all over, everybody went home, even
the family's newest member. The mother of the new baby had to spend a 
lot of time wrestling her from the great-grandmother. 

That night my wife and I sat together reflecting on our family
get-together. As usual, it was a wonderful time, and I'm glad I've 
lived long enough to enjoy it. Whether I get to another Christmas or 
not is anybody's guess. 

As we sat together drinking hot apple cider, we reflected on the past
year, which was a transitional year for us. It's hard for me to pick 
out the greatest time this past year but if I had to pick one it would 
be Christmas. 

Sighing deeply, I said, "It sure has been a great year, hasn't it?" 

Thinking deeply, which is the beginning of trouble, my wife said, "It
was a great year." Then, after more deep thought, she continued, "But 
the New Year is going to be so much better." 

Not learning from the past, I replied, "What's so new about the new
year?" 

She looked at me as though she had never seen me before, and with one of
her sarcastic tones, she said, "It's a new year, and everything is 
going to be new." 

"What do you think is going to be new about this coming New Year?" I
responded. 

"Everything will be new this coming year, and I can't wait to see all
the new stuff." 

Pausing for a moment, she then said, "Last year, we didn't even know at
this time that we were going to have a great-granddaughter. She is new 
in our family." 

Well, she had me on that one for sure. Maybe she was expecting another
new great-grandchild this coming year. So I didn't pursue that. 

"So," I said rather slowly, "what will be new this coming year?" 

"Everything is going to be new this coming year." She said with a smile
dancing on her face. 

"Except for a new family member," I said to her, "everything this next


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