I love to put away my Christmas tree ornaments. Not in the same way that I love putting them up, but also not in the context of, "Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out, Christmas."
Taking down the tree is an auld lang syne: I welcome new friends to the party, I give special TLC to those in need, and I say goodbye to those who are moving on. Ornaments from years' past sing of celebrations, whisper of forgotten moments; they dance for joy and cry silent tears.
At the end, the tree stands as it began - a blank slate, ready for the new. And so am I, on this final day of the year, wiped clean and ready to be filled again with the experiences of a new year.
Happy New Year's Eve. Goodbye, and hello!
