Remembering an old photo from the early 60’s, I could almost hear the booming countdown; “Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One,” and then a jubilant chorus of voices singing, “Happy New Year!” In the photo, men and women were dressed to the nines, wearing their holiday finery. Silly party hats perched on their heads and noise makers were held in their hands. In the middle of the room were two men laughing their heads off. One was pushing a large wheelbarrow with the other one riding inside. He was dressed in nothing but a cloth diaper, bonnet and carrying an enormous baby bottle. Across his bare chest was a New year’s banner.
It was simple joy from another time.
Looking at this photo, images flickered through my mind of my parents getting ready to go out for the evening. My mom was fluttering around the house in her red satin party dress. The tight bodice and big skirt accentuated her still tiny waist, after having us four girls. I inhaled her flowery perfume and turned my chubby, four year old cheek towards her bright red lips for a going away kiss. My handsome, dark haired dad was standing at the back door jiggling car keys and calling, “Ethel, we’re going to be late.” A moment later she hurried into the kitchen and he helped her put on her jet black, Borg fur coat, with the shiny silver lining. They gave us a final wave, a quick smile and then they were gone.
Our parents had been married on January 1, 1946 and going out on New Year’s Eve was their way of celebrating their anniversary each year. They would go to a house party or in the later years to the Elk’s hall in our little town of Hope, where the picture I mentioned above had been taken. Another tradition that started as soon as my older sister’s Bonnie and Cherie started having money of their own was they’d pool their resources and buy a little gift for our parents. It wouldn’t be much, but along with taking them breakfast in bed it was a sweet tradition.
It was the first joy of the New Year.
A few days ago, I asked my sister Bonnie about the photo I remembered and with a chuckle she said, “Oh yeah, that was probably Dad in the wheelbarrow being pushed by his best friend Ralph Feltran. She then said, “Dad was always doing silly things for a laugh.” I do remember another funny moment when Dad and probably Ralph again, placed a women’s purse on the road with a fishing line attached and then they hid behind the bushes. When a car stopped and the person went to investigate the purse, Ralph pulled the fishing line and Dad started rolling some film through his Kodak movie camera, to capture the person’s reaction to the moving purse. Many of our neighbours knew Dad well by all the practical jokes he pulled over the years.
Another time we were visiting my grandma Clark and all the aunts, uncles and cousins were there too. Dad started filming once again and when he had enough film clips, he asked if I would put a sign on my frilly underpants and bend over. Even though I was probably only around three or four, I told him emphatically no, as that would totally embarrass me around my older cousins. Later, I wished I’d let him put the sign reading, “The End,” on my butt, so I could have been in one of the last home movies he filmed.
Thinking of my Dad, our family and the little things that made life more fun has got me thinking about the memories we are creating for our children. We have lots of traditions and are an active family but I find we are goal oriented, intellectually driven, and our joy is often linked to our accomplishments and not so much on simple fun moments.
Except for my husband David. I often walk by his office throughout the day and see him laughing and joking with his clients and his coworkers while talking on the phone or during a video call. He works hard but doesn’t take anything too seriously. Each night at dinner, he’ll tell us a funny incident that happened during his day, or he will share the latest joke from the comedian, “Jeff Foxworthy’s daily calendar he has on his desk. The one today was, “You know you are a redneck when you tuck your shirt into your underpants.” He likes to sing old rock and roll songs in the car while driving the kids to their various activities, even though he knows he should be singing tenor, ten or twelve feet away from anyone, as he can’t carry a tune. At the end of the day, when the house is quiet, he will often escape back into his Den to watch some comedy sitcom episodes. When asked what he’s up to he’ll smile and say, “I need a bit of funny before bed.”
I want a bit of funny too this year. I think I now know what my New year’s resolution is; I want more joy in my life. More spontaneous laughter over the simple things. So when December 31st 2022 rolls around I think I’ll be making a sign and sticking it on the butt of my jeans and this is what it will say,
“The End of the BEST year ever, but the Joy continues!”
Before I close I wanted to share a few pictures we took of the family over the holidays. As I look at these pictures I remember the moments of joy we created; playing games, sledding in below 20 weather, movie marathons; it was a good holiday and I’m looking forward to more moments in 2022~more joy!
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope