Happy New Year!  I'm not one for making resolutions, since I usually break them before the week is up, and  I didn't want to recap 2012 in any way, as the year held too many heartbreaks for our family.  So I have decided to just move forward with 2013 and focus, like Peter Pan, on learning to fly with happy thoughts for this new year.  I have loved every minute of working on this blog and the first six months of writing have gone so fast!  I'm looking forward to sharing many more stories and poems with you in the coming months.  I'm also looking forward to making more 'blogger friends' that share my excitement for good stories and beautiful poetry.  

Here's a lovely poem to start the new year off in fine fashion, written by Helen Hunt Jackson and titled "New Year's Morning".  I love the phrase towards the end of the poem All days are sacred days to wake new gladness in the sunny air.  There's my happy thought for the day!  

Only a night from old to new!

Only a night, and so much wrought!

The Old Year's heart all weary grew,

But said: The New Year rest has brought."

The Old Year's hopes its heart laid down,

As in a grave; but trusting, said:

"The blossoms of the New Year's crown

Bloom from the ashes of the dead."

The Old Year's heart was full of greed;

With selfishness it longed and ached,

And cried: "I have not half I need.

My thirst is bitter and unslaked.

But to the New Year's generous hand

All gifts in plenty shall return;

True love it shall understand;

By all y failures it shall learn.

I have been reckless; it shall be

Quiet and calm and pure of life.

I was a slave; it shall go free,

And find sweet pace where I leave strife."

Only a night from old to new!

Never a night such changes brought.

The Old Year had its work to do;

No New Year miracles are wrought.

Always a night from old to new!

Night and the healing balm of sleep!

Each morn is New Year's morn come true,

Morn of a festival to keep.

All nights are sacred nights to make

Confession and resolve and prayer;

All days are sacred days to wake

New gladness in the sunny air.

Only a night from old to new;

Only a sleep from night to morn.

The new is but the old come true;

Each sunrise sees a new year born.