We woke from our celebration to see that tomorrow had become today. No trumpets blew nor claxon called. Deliberate simplicity ruled. We walked in on stocking feet, quietly, slowly, and with purpose. The beginning of a book is exciting. The first page caught our attention. New characters are in our story. A mystery awaits solution. How shall we proceed? Where are the open doors? The Gift has begun. So much to do, so little time. The great days are here. The days of wine and roses. Will we feel with our heart or our head? Shall we do each task as we did, or perhaps change some for a better result? Change is a spice in life. Change creates possibilities not apparent.

‘We look forward, we look back, we seldom look at the moment,’ Chet said. ‘Today the world is our playground, our home, our family,’ Chet mused. ‘Christmas is over and yet Christmas is coming,’ Chet winked. ‘We live on a vinyl phonograph record and what was will be what is,’ Chet laughed. ‘Will the record play different songs if we embrace positive change?’ Chet asked. ‘Suddenly, the combination lock opened with the change in the numbers,’ Chet noted. ‘Minor alterations in behaviour create major changes and opportunities,’ Chet explained. ‘We wait for someone to be the catalyst when we have the first starter,’ Chet said. ‘Growing in proactive faith is at the grassroots, not top down,’ Chet noted with some satisfaction.

‘The Service will begin soon, welcome to the Church In The Woods,’ the Preacher said with a smile. ‘Those who would be a fake peacemaker are gathering additional nuclear bombs,’ the Preacher noted. ‘Peace does not come from killing; unity is not a product of destruction,’ the Preacher explained. ‘So many are fearful, ragged and hungry with no place to rest their heads,’ the Preacher said. ‘Prosperity and peace are promised for the rich while the poor remain in the shadows,’ the Preacher continued. ‘Some would have us believe that money is the sign of God’s blessing and the lack thereof as his curse,’ the Preacher said. ‘Money has nothing to do with the servant/leadership message of God,’ the Preacher noted. ‘He that is greatest among you let him be the servant of all,’ the Preacher said. ‘We are here to wait and watch and act for good in the midst of evil and false prophecies,’ the Preacher whispered. ‘Today we work for peace, a sense of place when so many have lost their GPS and their way, they do not know if they are going west or east, nor really what is up and down or right from wrong,’ the Preacher said.

‘You know it is easier to have the Leader do our thinking for us,’ the Follower said. ‘It seems the Leader knows best and will rid us of all the undesirables,’ the Follower said. ‘Once we were promised a chicken in every pot and a car in every driveway, but now we can not afford the chicken nor the driveway for the car,’ the Follower said. ‘Yet the Leader must be right…isn’t he,’ the Follower asked.

Fernie sang Auld Lang Syne each New Year’s Eve. She sang it with the passion of the Greatest Generation. Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians performed it on New Year’s Eve. The Scottish song title means ‘old long since’ or for old times’ sake. It is considered the New Year’s Eve Song.

‘Should old acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot In the days of auld lang syne?’

‘For auld lang syne, my dear For auld lang syne We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet For the sake of auld lang syne.’

‘And surely, you will buy your cup, And surely, I’ll buy mine! We’ll take a cup of kindness yet For the sake of auld lang syne.’

‘We two who’ve paddled in the stream From morning sun ’till night The seas between us roared and swelled Since the days of auld lang syne.’

So, one door is almost closed, and a new door is open. What will we do with a wealth of days? Shall we sit in the rocking chair on our front porch and watch the world go by? Each New Year’s Eve, we have, until now, been given such riches and thought little of them. We assume they will always be there. Has it not been so? Days to learn compassion and to love more. Days to study how to be small to be big. Days when those whom we do not know well look to us for understanding, and we are busy. Days when some people do not fit into the plan.

Tomorrow is another day…until it isn’t. The Watchers are watching. How will we do with another bag of gold called time? More wine, more food, more fun, some say. Live today for tomorrow we die. Others say, ‘Let me work quietly in the field of the needy without fanfare or recognition.’ Will we spend our gift of time helping those who do not know our name or station? Will we expect from others what we are not willing to give in return?

The Weaver is working, and the loom is flying like a shuttle. Which wool yarn will she use for the master rug? How will it add to the overall pattern and plan of the fabric art? What is our perception of the Rug Weaver? Shall we continue to observe with fascination, or shall we learn how to operate the Loom?