Each year a friend of mine has a New Year’s Day party. I love to attend, it is nice to see everyone from the neighborhood and the political actions groups and her church come together to have some lovely food and conversations. She put up the wishing tree many years ago. Each person that attends is asked to put up their desire for the new year. She saves them and put them up year after year. It is interesting to see how lives changed throughout the years by reading those notes.
I found a few of mine old wishes on the tree this year. One was to finish the barn, well that’s done and now I am celebrating the completion of the kitchen. I wished last year for Big: big job, big money and big love. Most of that has come true if you look at the big picture. For 2010 I wished for Starry nights and lazy mornings. I have a picture in my mind: sharing evenings with a loved one or friends and to enjoy the days as they unfold, taking my time to enjoy each day.
As I was leaving the party, I stopped to say good night to some folks and we saw an owl land on the wish tree. He was perched up high in the branches, stealthy watching the activity below. If I recall correctly, owls are a welcome sign or a good omen when spotted at night: They indicate clarity and honesty.