See you next year!

Our Granddaughters are old enough to understand that in a few days the year will start all over again.

"What does this mean?" they ask.

I tell them it is a marker...a passage of time.

They giggle. They say it means they don't have to go to school until next year! Hooray.

I tell them it is more. It is a time of reflection and a time to think of things to make their lives better and the lives of people around them better.

They giggle. They say it means they don't have any homework until next year!

I tell them it is more.

They giggle. They say it means they don't have to clean up the dog poo from the backyard until next year!

I giggle.

I say, "To heck with this! Let's lay in the bed and read books and cuddle up under corduroy quilts and stay cozy!"

They say, "Grandma, maybe you can read us a book about the passage of time."

I don't giggle.

I tell them, "Girls, let's just enjoy right now. Time will pass whether we're thinking about it or not."

I tell them, "Guess what?"

"What, Grandma?" they ask with their eyes all big and blue and innocent and round.

I tell them, "I will love you next year, and the year after that, and the year after that...and forever..."

They cuddle in closer. "I love you more, Grandma," they say in their sweet voices.

And I think inside my heart, "Oh my dear Granddaughters. There is no way that is possible."

Happy New Year dear friends. We may never pass this away again. Let's make 2011 a year that counts.