Time Square? No thank you...I'd rather celebrate in Sullivan Gardens. By Tony C

First, let me apologize for missing two weeks. Sometimes, we let the holiday season overwhelm us, and I'm guilty this year for sure. Nature slowed me back down though as I've spent the past three days in bed with bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection. I'm feeling much better today, so let's kick the week off with a memorable New Year Celebration from each of your Kingdom Bloggers.

Wow. There have been so many memorable ones for yours truly. Some I'd be glad to share, and some...well...not so proud. In the understanding that our total life experiences make up who we truly are and that all things are used for God's glory, I can say that while I may be down right ashamed today recapping some of those memories...my Father has separated the not so nice ones from me as far as the East is from the West. Hallelujah!

With that in mind, I think my choice for a most memorable New Year celebration is also an honoring of someone very deserving. My Aunt Kay is the very definition of a godly woman. Sweet and mild mannered. Humble and pious. She walks the walk our Savior often spoke of during His earthly ministry.  My mom and her sister were two of the younger siblings in a clan that saw eleven of thirteen children survive to adulthood. My grandfather was a pastor, but he died while they both were still young,  forcing all the kids to grow up a bit faster than would have been normal even in those days.

When I was in my preteen years, my sister and I  spent several New Year's Eve nights with my Aunt Kay. Mom and dad made a tradition of spending that time together without children, and I honestly don't want to even try to imagine why. Somethings concerning parents are best left undiscovered despite what Sigmund Freud tries to sell us.

Aunt Kay has two sons younger than me and my sister, but not by much. Her husband is a witty fellow that I've always enjoyed being around. They still live in the same house today that I remember with such warmth and affection. It is a home, and the love my Aunt Kay radiates is a large reason why. She would laugh at our antics and comfort my sister (who was both a mama's girl and homebody). We would stay up and watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV and blow horns while wearing our party hats to welcome the New Year.

No. It wasn't grandiose or pomp...but I've done those things too, and honestly, I'd take an evening celebrating with my Aunt Kay and her loving manner over any of those empty, fanciful celebrations any day. Her godly influence lives in me today and will be passed on to my children and hopefully their children too.

Happy New Year to my Aunt Kay and her family...and to my Kingdom Blogger family too.