The lyrics “auld Lang syne” roughly translate to “times gone by”. The old poem, (which was eventually adopted as our traditional New Years Eve song), was translated into Scottish and added to, by Robert Burns in 1788.

We sang the song with our winter Texan family at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. As I thought about the past year, I realized it was probably the most difficult year I’ve experienced in my 68 years of life. I lost three of my dearest friends and my Dad in 2021.

In addition to this, Covid kept us separated from friends and family for much of the year.

As life goes, there was plenty of good mixed in with the not-so-good, and, at the end of the day, I’d rather count my blessings than be resentful for my losses.

When we returned home to our RV, I “drank a cup” and toasted those I lost, those who remained, and the past year.

My hope for the coming year is that Covid19 will become a manageable illness and will move from pandemic to endemic, like the flu and the common cold. My wish for all of you, my followers, is a happy and healthy 2022.

“Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.” ~ English Version