Keeping the Story Alive: Preparing For the Coming New Year

J. Mark Lowe

My first cognizant memory was the New Years' Eve when I was two-years-old. I'm not sure why I remember it was that date, but know that the memory has always been my memory - not an event that my siblings or parents told. Both my Mom and Dad confirmed the memory over the years, but the clue was the fact that I had the croup that year. We were living in a house owned by Dr. Robert Elder, that was very near the feed mill owned by my parents. In fact, this lot adjoined the feed mill lot. [Important for a genealogist, who always tries to put the whole story together.]

I'm obviously feeling good here, but this is about the same time.

I was feeling better in the evening, and was lying on the couch wrapped up. Soon, people in the neighborhood (town of Cedar Hill) were shooting fireworks in celebration of the coming New Year. I'm sure that my brothers had a few firecrackers and maybe a few rockets of their own to propel in the stars.

I remember Dad picking me up off of the couch, and wrapped me in a soft, orange plaid woolen blanket with satin wrapped bound edges. We found similar blankets at the Springfield Woolen Mills Outlet in Bowling Green. Dad carried me outside to see the fireworks. I can remember hearing the laughter of my siblings, the popping noise of firecrackers, the loud booms or retorts as rockets reached their summit, the oohs when a colorful rocket exploded in the air, and the brilliant colors. As the fireworks continued, I remember seeing the bright light reflecting on my Dad's face. I was warm, secure and protected. There were other people around me watching these fireworks outside, but, mostly, I remember seeing the faces of my family.

I had Uncles who loved fireworks, and often visited us in Tennessee because we had fireworks. There were special fireworks purchased for the kids. I remember those little black tokens, that would turn into a snake when touched by fire. There were always firecrackers around the holidays. My older brothers also always enjoyed shooting fireworks. This pattern continued into adulthood; we often have gathered in past Summers to enjoy fireworks at my brother - Denny's house. As a fireman, he always ensured that the fireworks were handled safely, always made with proper precautions, and available equipment. As the younger nieces and nephews grew, they were allowed to participate in the family tradition.

I think that the reason this memory remains so vivid in my mind, is that it includes the faces of my family. My family has always provided a warm, secure place to grow, be loved, and be encouraged. It has been a long time, but FAMILY ALWAYS COUNT! I understand that not all of us have been blessed to grow in an family like this. I wish all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR that brings you joy, love and happiness in your life.

Eating black-eyed peas and something green (cabbage or greens) on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck and financial prosperity to the one eating them throughout the rest of the year. My Mom insisted that we at least have a spoonful of peas. Other lucky foods are lentils, pork (because chickens scratch backwards, a cow stands still, but a pig roots forward.) and sauerkraut. In order to take this a step further, some place a silver coin over the doorway or a penny on the windowsill. (I need to look to see if any of those placed in earlier years are still there.

There are many traditions about the people with whom you celebrate and activities you are doing both on New Year’s Eve and Day. So depending on your beliefs, the person you were with to celebrate the new year last week is with whom you will spend the next year. There's long been a superstition that if you kiss your true love at midnight on New Year's Eve, you will live in love and happiness with that person for the entire rest of the upcoming year. Plus, whatever you were doing on January 1st is the task you will continue to do all year. My Mom, tried very hard not to wash clothes on New Years Day! . There is one superstition about New Year's Day that if you lend someone money or something of substantial value on the first day of the New Year, you will be loaning money out to people all year long. You're also not supposed to pay off any loan on the first day of the New Year, either. If you cry on New Year's Day, for sad reasons, then you set the tone for a year's worth of sadness and tears. Whatever happens, you should be happy and upbeat all day on New Year's Day in order to ensure a happy year to follow.

Many folks opened the doors or windows of a home at midnight on New Year’s Eve to let the old year escape. We also make loud noises at the same time, so we scare away any evil spirits that might be tempted to come into the house. An Irish tradition involves banging on the door and walls with Christmas bread to chase the bad luck out and bring good spirits to the household with the promise of bread enough in the New Year.

Watch Night began with the Moravians, a small Christian group with roots in eastern Europe. The first such service was held in 1733 on the estate of Count von Zinzendorf in Hernhut, Germany. John Wesley, founder of a Methodist movement, incorporated the Watch Night vigil into the practices of the early Methodist church. These watch night were not only held on New Year’s Eve, but one a month and on full moons. The first such service was held in the United States in 1770 in Philadelphia.

I look forward to sharing more of my memories with you in the coming days. Memories shared are part of Keeping The Story Alive! So before the year ends, be sure to make the preparations that ensure the new year starts with a positive bang.