I visit with my (ex) step-sons often and shortly after the break-up was fortunate to have them for a New Years eve…..

Living in Astoria I was freer to see them often……Astoria has a nice hill with the Astoria column at the top…..you can hike up the 164 steps to the top of the column featuring a detailed story-line carved/drawn on the outside of it’s 125 feet circular ‘canvas’; of the area’s history including the famous Lewis and Clark expedition.  It overlooks the Columbia River, all of Astoria, Washington across the river, the mighty dangerous mouth and Columbia River bar and the estuary around it, offering a wonderful scenic 360 degree view.  A great place to bring in the New Year.

written on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 12:36pm

“I had a great New Years with my boys….we drove to the top of Astoria, Oregon (past the closed road after 10:00 signs)…to the Astoria Column and total privacy….no one else dared to drive past such threatening signs….7 minutes to go….Overlooking the city, the large mouth of the Columbia River and fireworks sporadically going off….I lamented on the lack of a countdown with 1 minute to go….when my oldest, Christopher, 11; started counting down (duh; New York is not the only one with a countdown) ’60,….49 (he forgot 10 seconds) 48, 47, 46, 45, 44; catching on we joined in; Rueben; the youngest; 8, and I (we’re a little slow)…. 43,42, etc….eventually…….to 3;……2;……..1!!!… we yelled Happy New Year!!!  Seemingly on cue , all the big transport ocean-going huge ships in the river started in sounding their (very loud) horns……did I mention how big they are??  bouncing sounds back and forth, it was perfect…it was too dark to even see them but their presence was suddenly known…..more fireworks and then a flare……we looked at each other in surprise and sheer joy at the coincidence and perfectness of the moment………we ended with sharing what the year past brought that we enjoyed (choosing to ignore the negative things) and what we expected, wanted and dreamed about for the new year….perfect….and cold; plus wet….. we jumped in the car and sped home….”

I remember this New Year every year, my marriage ended years before but physically just that past year and having the kids on my ex’s girlfriend’s birthday (Jan 01) was a treat unexpected.  It was perfect and the joys of those years cherished.  Happy Happy New Year everyone and may this year be all you dream of and expect.  I expect love!!!!!