Reflection on New Year's Eve

For years I have looked at New Year's Eve as one of the most important night of the year. Therefore I have always looked for the perfect way to spend it.

I have counted down at a bar, at a friend's party, at a hotel in LA, downtown New Orleans, at a restarurant, at an overnight getaway with my wife, by myself with Dick Clark, at the fraternity house... the list goes on and on... however through 30+ years of "celebrating", most of those nights are hardly memorable/meaningful.

Two nights ago (New Years Eve), I watched TV while waiting for Zander's next feeding. As usual, Time Square was packed. People were chanting, dancing, kissing, having a time of their lives. I, on the other hand, didn't even remember that it was New Year's Ev until a few days before. I did not think about what I was going to do for the countdown.

11:45pm came around. It was Z's time for a bottle. Midnight approached while I was feeding him. As I watched the people at Victory Park (downtown Dallas) on TV screaming "10,9,8,7...3,2,1", I realized I am spending "the countdown" exactly how I wanted to... peacefully with my family. I looked into our baby boy's eyes and wished him a happy new year for the very first time. I then turned to my sleeping wife and whispered the same, followed with a kiss. Grayson was asleep in his room as year 2009 creeped in.

How I spent New Year's Eve this year was unplanned, but oh so perfect.