Auld Acquaintance

Yesterday we had our annual New Year's Day party. Yes, I did look at a calendar. And, yes, I know that yesterday was not New Year's Day. But yesterday was the day the majority of people could make the party.

You see - about 40 years ago our family made the acquaintance of another family with children of similar ages (okay, at the time I was the only child - but there were two on the way). As my mother puts it for the next several years we grew up in each others houses. Another family moved in next door at one point and the families became like one.

Then our family moved. And instead of being next door and across the street from these people who had become family, we lived an hour away.

That first New Year's after we moved (New Year's day 1976 if anyone is keeping track) we were invited back for dinner. All three families got together and a wonderful time was had by all.

The next year we got together again - at someone else's house.

And since that time we have gotten together every New Year's day (or sometime close). As many people as can make it show up.

When we started that tradition there were six grown-ups and nine children. Now if everyone were to gather there would be six seniors (as they've dubbed themselves), 15 in the intermediate (or middle aged) generation - included spouses, and 15 in the youngest generation. Not everyone was able to make it last night - but we still had 24 people there (including 10 children aged 10 and under).

As one of our friends kidded around with one of my brothers, she said "it's okay, it's like he's my brother". And she is the closest I ever had to a sister while growing up.

Officially the three families aren't related. But we're more family than a lot of people who share genetics are.

And these Auld Acquaintances will never be forgot!

Happy New Year