Happy New Year, and Auld Lang Syne!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne
“Is it right that old times be forgotten?”
The intent of the song reminds me of a Huxley quote:
“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history.”
This song is really important to me, and is very moving. I am not sure people really think deeply about the lyrics, and I like to share them and bring them up every year as a way to seriously consider the past moving towards the future. It’s so important we remember history, to learn from it, and to carry the legacy of friendship, family, and love into a future that may need it.
We know the past settles there, and we know we will all move on together. But in that, it’s our responsibility to take old friends, family, and love along with us, carry them all on our shoulder, and let them exist with us as we move into the next phase of life. I think this heavy quote is an appropriate nod to the notion, and something I think about a lot, almost as a responsibility.
“There are three deaths. The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.”
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This post is honor of my Uncle Greg & Helen Ditte, our family and friends beating cancer and dealing with complex health issues, and all other family and friends. This also is for the nearly 400,000 humans+ lost to this virus and our inaction, or mental health issues, or anything else. This is a reminder and encouragement for everyone else here (and the eyes that fall on this), that we can walk forward with their memories in our minds, and hearts. We can celebrate them forever.
Personally, I look at it as a responsibility. Let’s not forget old loves and acquaintances. Let’s celebrate them and move forward with them as part of us. And in moving forward, let’s not forget the portal we are walking through, and mentally prepare for how we want to get there, and what we want to bring. This metaphor was elegantly put in the FT article by Arundhati Roy about India’s response to the pandemic.
Sing this a few times entering the new year, and think about it… and all those lost and all those you love and all the moments of time and life that led to you being here, now.
Happy New Year to all.
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Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have run about the hills,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus