Last night, Les and I had the remarkable privilege of being present for an event where past griefs and joys blended into new hope, where laughter and celebration took everyone by surprise, and where Declarations of Intent drew a rowdy crowd into the narrative of Christ's love for us. A New Years Eve I will never forget.
Last night, thanks to my gentle but persistent insistence, Les agreed to go with me to a New Year's Eve party like none other.
We had been invited to attend a special vintage-themed NYE Party/ Engagement party for one of my co-workers at Habitat. Pam and Warren got engaged late this summer, and we were all so happy for her. She is a genuine, creative, kind woman with two grown sons and a new daughter in law. She has had a tough year. Not long after she and Warren got engaged, Pam's father's health took a turn for the worse. In the span of a few months, her engagement happiness spun into road trips, hospitals, and bedside tears. Their original engagement party was postponed while Pam tended to her father. He passed away a few months ago, and wedding planning resumed in earnest.
So, when a friend of Pam's sent out invitations to a Lawrence Welk-themed New Years Eve/Engagement party, our office was abuzz with excitement for her. What a great way to put 2012 behind her and really celebrate. What a wacky, fun, vintage theme. Dresses were bought and borrowed. Bow-ties were procured (for some - Les did not but now wishes that he had). The host's home was bedecked with 60's style gaudy tinsel, over-the-top garlands, an outdoor screen projecting Lawrence Welk's NYE shows from years ago, a live band, caterers, a vintage-cocktail mixing bar, and some spray-painted tubas on the wall for good measure. I, of course, took my tiny clutch so I didn't have a real camera handy. My camera phone didn't work well in the dim and flickering Christmas Light rooms.
My colleagues and I chatted and laughed, caught up on our Christmas vacations, and chatted with Pam's other friends and family. We sipped Champagne punch and complimented Pam on her shiny vintage dress. The crowd swelled to fill the whole house while the band played kitchy tunes and dancey polkas.
And then, through the din, the hostess clinked her glass and asked everyone to gather around for a toast to the couple. And as soon as we all went quiet and looked to the hall with anticipation, the ooompa-band started playing "Here Comes the Bride" on the accordion. Gasps, cheers, whistles greeted Pam in a stunning vintage gold gown and Warren in a wide-lapelled plaid suit. A real minister (their minister) assured the shocked crowd that "this is the real deal", and proceeded with the most intimate, beautiful, simple and whimsical wedding I have ever attended. The bride's sons stood up for her, and the groom's sons for him. There were readings and prayers, and a declaration of their commitment to carrying one another's burdens, laughing with each other, and showing the love of Christ to each other every day from this day forward.
Not a bad way to end 2012, eh?
I'm just beaming with happiness for them. So thankful that we could be there. You know that a wedding homily is a good one when it makes you want to renew your vows to your hubby and recommit to love him everyday with the love of Jesus.
And now, it's New Year's Day. I'm excited for what's ahead. I've made some lists and goals, of course, but this year I've also made a 10 Word Meditation. 10 "goals within goals" to consider and mull over and pray through and try to cultivate in the year ahead. Here is my not very artistic rendering:
First up, Nourish. That's the way I'm going to try to think about food this year. Nourishing food that is actually good for my body and minimizes inflammation. Lots to write about that one, but here's my first go:
Shopping primarily in the produce section, for one thing. It's also gonna mean more cooking. Les is going to try this one with me, so hopefully we can make it stick.
Here's a quick run-down of the others:
Center - I'm going to try to start with a habit of daily morning prayer and meditation. I'm already waking up and laying in bed reading my email, Facebook updates, and the short version of the daily entry from the Book of Common Prayer, but I'm going to try to do this out of the bed, and more focused and contemplative than bleary-eyed and by rote.
Strengthen - What I didn't mention in the story above about the NYE party is the fact that I had to put on 3 dresses before I found one that would zip. It is important to be healthy, fit, and strong physically, and this year, we get serious.
Serve - How can I serve people. Regular people, not just through formal volunteer gigs. But sign up for more volunteer gigs as well.
Give - We've been remarkably lazy and kind of thoughtless about our giving and tithing this year. We've done it, but more as a budget line item than an act of joyful obedience.
Nest - Prepare spiritually, relationally, financially, spatially, and bodily for our future family. However that may happen.
Simplify - My space, my stuff, my wardrobe, my diet, my schedule. I'm tired of clutter and gunk, and I'm tired of making things more complicated than they need to be. Time to embrace simplicity as a goal.
Manage - I don't write a lot about my work on this blog, but I am pleased and a bit freaked out to announce that as of Jan. 4, I will be managing a team of 3 full-time employees. And I want to be a capable, thoughtful, mature manager of people and of the programs entrusted to me.
Complement - Yep, complement with an "e". This is about being a prayerful, encouraging wife who supports my hubby and helps him to flourish.
Grow - Keep learning more about the things that I already love to do, be open to feedback, and continue to try to be better. A better writer, cook, runner, photographer, craft-maker, employee, wife. Dog momma. Grain-free vegetarian. Whatevs. Keep at it.
So that's what is tacked to the wall in our new "Extra Room!" (we converted the Room of Boxes and Piles into a work room/ guest room for my sister's Christmas visit). I'll start each day in that room on my yoga mat, centering myself in prayer for the day, and reminding myself of the woman I want to become through Christ.
No telling if it'll actually play out like that, but New Year's Day is always just a little more hopeful than all the other days of the year. A whole fresh year, just waiting to unfurl.
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