Feeling Lucky

Each year I join my family on New Years Day for dinner. We begin by clicking glasses filled with extra dry champagne and toasting to the year ahead. We always have the same dinner of roast pork and sauerkraut - I think my dad's wife would feel it bad luck to change it.

Our meal is always finished by sharing the good luck marzipan pig. I remember one year quite vividly as a child so excited about the pig. My stepmother didn't like me too much in those days. I was a quiet and shy girl and my dad's favorite. She has two daughters of her own who are close in age (one a year older and one a year younger) whose own relationship with their father was painful. I think it must have hurt her mother's heart to see her husband shower me with affection while her own daughters scarcely saw their own father. Well on this one occasion I remember her cutting the pig and when it came to me I could see her resistance. When she finally made a slice it was a sliver. My heart sank.

Times have changed. I've grown and so has my stepmother. In fact, in the last few years, I've grown to really love and appreciate her and she feels the same way about me. I think it is my understanding of forgiveness that has helped to take us to this wonderful place. In my journals I acknowledged my hurt feelings. In my writing and reflecting I realized that I'm no longer that 9 year old girl and she is no longer that mother with young children. One of my personal mottos from last year, meet people where they are at, is one that I will continue in this next year. Things that have happened in the past are to live in the past. We don't have to carry them forward with us. I've chosen to meet her where she is at today and she in turn is connecting with me in a way we would have never seen coming. I'm choosing to think back on the happy times and let those great feelings fill me up. Sure I may think back on those heart sinking moments, but I don't dwell on them.

This year the pig and knife were placed in front me of me. That's right I was given the honor of cutting the lucky pig. I quickly remembered the young girl who loves the taste of almond paste. wow...Wow...WOW! I looked down at the cute little figure and didn't know how big to cut the pieces. There were only three of us this year so I began by cutting the head and gave that choice looking piece to my dad. Next I cut a large barrel from the belly and handed it to my stepmother and I took the rump. As we held up our pieces as we did our glasses of the champagne just moments earlier I said, "You know all of the luck ran to the bottom of the pig and it's in my piece." No one has ever said that and we all had a good chuckle. I'm feeling pretty lucky and my outlook for 2012 is so very positive.

How about you? Are you feeling lucky? How is your outlook for 2012?

Cheers!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

Comments

[Jeanne]

May we all have a 2012 year full of Luck and God's most richest blessings.
Love Jeanne

[Kristine]

Another interesting & hope driven post, Ryn ~ I love your outlook on life ~ You are a true inspiration ~ I am glad you and your Step Mom have arrived at such a peaceful place - Time heals, I am a true believer of this - Your post here just continue to get better & better!

[Jennie Stevens]

Beautiful story...beautiful tradition. Isn't it amazing how our growth can change our thinking.
Finding a place of peace between two who haven't had it is the most beautiful. It helps bring our planet towards PEACE.
Thank you for showing a sign in the right direction-----------> Love.

[amateur-in-art]

This is fabulous!

I love your motto of meeting people where they are at. I think we have to do that with ourselves, too. At least, I do. I know I have been helped very much when people merely meet me where I'm at, instead of where they wish me to be or want me to be or simply where I'm not.

Blessings to you in the new year - and know how much you bless all of your readers!!