Have you ever thought you needed to do something because you didn’t think you’d have the same opportunity ever again?
That is how I felt on New Year’s Eve of 2012 as we welcomed 2013. We lived in Russia at the time. We were working for a Russian company helping to build ranches and bring the beef industry back to Russia. I didn’t think I’d have an opportunity to see a Russian New Year’s again, so I tried to make the most of it.
Jeffrey and Justin were receiving cattle at another ranch so they weren’t able to be with us. The other kids and I played games and had snacks and eventually they all dozed off for a while. At 2am I woke everyone up and we bundled up and headed out the door. We piled into our loaf van, (imagine an army green loaf of bread on wheels) and we drove to a village about 15 minutes away.
Russian’s don’t celebrate Christmas until January 7th and it is not a big holiday, but New Year’s is a HUGE holiday! People put up New Year’s trees instead of Christmas trees. On New Year’s Eve people gather at their village’s Lenin Square (every village has a Lenin Square) for a BIG celebration after midnight.
Lights were on in many of the houses as we drove through the village. People— families, teenagers, and couples were walking to the Square. The Lenin Square in this village was packed with people and lit up at 2am! They had a big New Year’s tree in the middle of the square. There was loud music and food. People were dancing and setting off fireworks. Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden were in a booth doing a skit. An ambulance was in the Square and police were here and there.
We watched and took in all the Russian festivities. I got a few poor quality pictures. I remember standing there and looking at my American kids. I thought, “I am in a Russian village’s Lenin Square in the middle of the night with five kids and no husband at their new year’s celebration.” Wow! I knew I probably wouldn’t ever have this chance to be where I was right then.
It was cold and we didn’t stay too long, nor did I want to draw any attention to ourselves because sometimes we really stuck out as Americans. We can say we have been to a Russian New Year’s party at a Lenin Square (in case anyone ever asks us). I was glad I did it even though it was in the middle of the night and cold and I didn’t have my husband with me.
Back at home, everyone warmed up with some hot chocolate. They were awake after their cold, night excursion. We didn’t play any more games, but I played a song for them by Rascal Flatts called My Wish.
Have you ever listened to the lyrics of that song? It is a great new year’s song.
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
[Chorus:]
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big
That New Year’s Eve in Russia was eight years ago. My six kids’ ages were 17 years old down to 5 years old. This song is still my wish for them every year no matter what their ages.
Happy New Year!