A Nostalgic New Years Eve

Today is New Years Eve, and the end of a decade.

Tonight we wish for a 2020 full of prosperity, and an end to the fear that grips many of us - fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of what is to come.

But tonight, let us celebrate.  And allow me to become a little nostalgic.

When growing up, there was only one band to listen to on New Year's Eve-Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.  There was only one way to mark the end of the year - the dropping of the ball from the Times Tower in New York City, narrated by Ben Grauer.

This is Ben Grauer's coverage in New York City, for New Year's Eve 1965.  This was my first New Years Eve as a teen.  And no, although I grew up in New York City, I've never seen the ball drop in person.

Do you remember Guy Lombardo? He's been dead for many years - in fact he passed away the same year as Ben Grauer did.

For years, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians performed at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria.  I can not think of New Years Eve without hearing his band play in my mind.

So here's a modern version of Auld Lang Syne, by Susan Boyle.  I wanted to ring out 2019 with a beautiful video, and, thanks to a fellow music blogger, I found just what I wanted.

But before I go, one more memory.

In 2009 (my first year of blogging) I remembered us entering another decade - and another century.  This is what I blogged then:

"How time passes.

10 years ago ..... I had a nine year old and the day off.  New Years Eve 1999.  I spent part of the day with my son and one of his friends celebrating the last day of the 20th century (although technically it wasn't).  We tracked the New Years on a globe and watched a bunch of New Years fireworks - Sydney, Australia, Egypt, London.

I don't want to ask my son if he remembers; it would probably embarrass him.  And he had a falling out with this friend early in high school.

Nothing like tracking your life through what you did with your children and when to really make you feel how quickly time passes, and how you need to treasure all the things you do with your young children.  Because one day they will have their own lives.

Now we are about to enter a new decade.  May it be a better one than this first decade of the 21st century.

Happy New Year!"

I meant it then, and I mean it now.

Happy New Year to you, my dear readers!

Tomorrow, I start the decade with a month of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Please join me, and other bloggers, on a month long challenge for the New Year.  If you are interested, the signup is here.  It is not too late to join.


Again, Happy New Year!