2008 last night

Last day of an other year of my life. Last picture I took before it turned dark at my place. Along the old custom beliefs I did go to town, paid my bills and mailed letters that had been forgotten to mail. Coming back home was rather dangerous because it snowed very fine. The wind blew the snow in spirals and every different way. Visibility was hard. I got home safe.
Because of the habit to have it all that has to be done before the new year starts I had cleaned the house, done the laundry and all the little things that actually is part of normal daily living. Only on new years eve we are suppose to take particular care of it, then the tell-tale says that what you do on the first day of a new year so you do all year around. Who wants to be disorderly all year round?
So since there was not much to do and my mind was buzzing with thoughts what to put on the blog as a fare well to the old year, I watched the snow through the window. It did change from few flakes making a small rounds and floating down taking their time to big ones and even to squalls. The sun was trying to flash a smile through them, but it did not came very bright. Then I kind of danced with the flakes back through this year. Like the snow flakes every day has been different, at least in my perception. I was thinking how we spent new year's night when I was young. New year never had any religious meaning, at least that I can recall. But there was all kinds of , maybe superstitious, customs that the young people used to do at the parties.
They all were to us like a party games. One was that a person stood with the back to the outside door and threw a shoe over the shoulder. If the shoe fell with the toe towards the door that meant this person will move out of the place. If it was with the heel to the door, he or she will live there the rest of the year.
Then we also melted zinc in tablespoons on a candle and when it was runny dropped it in a cold water, where it splattered out in different forms. They got picked up and held on hand letting the light create shadow on the wall and everybody tried to interpret what they saw in the shadow - guessing what will come in the new year their way. It was amazing enough and we had a lot of laughs.
Now - I just like to be by myself and start the new year quietly wishing that the whole year will be peaceful. I don't remember us starting the year going to church, but now I am looking forward to it. I guess I have learned by now that without God there might not even be a new year. Besides I feel like the church still is the best place to say thank you to God for the year ended and pray for His help to live the new year as much as possible for his service.
Now I think I should finish this blog and put on another when the new year arrives.