Celebrating New Year's Eve the Art Gilkerson Way

No doubt we all remember Mom telling stories about how her Dad, Art, would stand on their front steps/porch (or was it the back steps?) at midnight on New Year's Eve and regale everyone who cared to listen with his special trombone version of "Auld Lang Syne." That was a memory that was precious to her and she loved the telling of it . . . savored it, almost as if she were reliving it every time she shared it with one of us.

Such a simple gesture--the playing of an old tune on a beloved brass instrument, in the fresh, cold air at the very dawn of a new year. Some holiday traditions are fussy and burdensome, and are naturally jettisoned over time as they slowly collapse under the weight of unrealistic expectations and all the extra effort involved in keeping them alive. With his one-man-band melodic tribute to the old and welcoming of the new, Art had it right, once again.   Great music, lots of family and friends all around, a bit of good food (pickled herring, anyone?), a touch of holiday decor . . . and that's about all you need.

Thank you, Art, thank you, Barbara Amelia, and thanks, Mom, for passing it all down to us in story and warm recollection.