The dawning of a new year marks the point where a new book is opened; the final chapter of the past year, with all of its troubles and misfortunes, is closed and tucked away on the shelves of our memories, usually to be forgotten. For most, the New Year brings with it the hope of new beginnings and a brighter future, but for some, it shall be the last year that they’ll ever see.
These thoughts played through Addie’s mind as she watched the flame of the candle flicker in the vulnerable way that fire usually does; it was a candle to honor her father’s memory, one that she had lit on the turn of the years for the past two years in order to remember his life, but it also was a reminder of how quickly someone’s life could be snuffed out before its time. To this flame she whispered the things she wished she would have said to her father, and she spoke of all the fond times that they had shared together; her hope was that the smoke would carry her words to him and he would hear, and maybe smile- how she wished to see his smile again and to hear his laughter once more.
Tirbold of Grimslade lived on, not physically but in her memories, and he would continue to live this way for as long as she would choose to remember. Too many times, she thought to herself- whether it be from current troubles taking priority in our minds, new joys to focus on, or from separation and distance causing us to not think on such things any longer- the years pass and take with them the precious memories of our loved ones and dear friends; it was the reality of time.
“Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet heart now grown so cold,
that loving breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.” *
She would not let herself forget- not her father or the friends she had been parted from due to her adventures; this was her promise to herself, she would take the time each New Year to remember. As the candle burned bright in the night, she pictured the face of each of her friends within the flame, and she spoke a wish for their health and happiness. “May we meet again,” she quietly breathed out, a whispered prayer of her heart, “and if not, I hope that you know that you shall be remembered… as I hope that you will remember me.”
(*Based off the ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711. The phrase means "old long since" or "the old times")
