New Year wishes
An early morning ring on the doorbell, the cheering sound of the metal triangle, a pair of children’s eyes – which seem to reflect whatever purity is left in this world – an off-key rendition of a traditional New Year’s carol. These all serve to send off the old year with a message of optimism and hope. The atmosphere is festive, with multicolored lights, fireworks, heartwarming tunes, hugs and kisses, wishes that boost our morale and ambitions, expressions of joy, infectious smiles that banish our problems, New Year’s gifts. And along with these come the usual reviews of the year that has passed, a few thoughts for the sick and suffering, and a hasty resumption of our day-to-day lives – although we continue to daydream. How different things would be if wishes could make dreams come true. But often the child with the metal triangle will stare at us as if expecting solutions to his doubts, help in distinguishing virtues from vices and the ideal from the real, without confusing good and evil, bravery and insolence. These are eternal values, clouded by human experience, but we «adults» regard them as platitudes and believe that our children know how to resist the «temptations» of our times. But why be melancholic at the start of a new year? Despite everything, there remain honor, courage and generosity, which help us tackle adversities and renew our hope.
