Christmas vacation 1969 was the most exciting ever. At least it changed my life forever. 1969 was an eventful year. Nixon was elected President and Armstrong walked on the moon. It was a big year for me. I had joined the Navy in October 1968. The Vietnam war was raging and I had suffered through three majors in three semesters at USL. The draft was alive and well and the Navy sounded better than the Army (or, Dad forgive me, the Marines). I was in electronics school in California after boot camp and in October 1969 I was home in Lafayette on leave on my way to a computer school in Maryland. My sister Pat had a friend Donnah who had a sister named Rosemary and we were introduced. I don’t think we said more than a couple of words to each other. After my eight week school was over I returned to Lafayette, this time on Christmas leave, on my way to still more computer schooling in Biloxi. (Remember I had joined the Navy because I was sick of school.) While in Maryland I had no vehicle and nothing to spend money on so for Christmas 1969, I had two months of pay in my pocket and was bored. My sister suggested I call Rosemary. I said “Who?” In short, I called and Rosemary and I saw each other every day for the next ten days. On New Year’s Eve I went to pick her up. She was all dressed up to go out. I was in jeans. We didn’t go out that night. We just talked. About midnight I realized that my wonderful Christmas vacation was about over. I didn’t want it to end. So I asked Rosemary to marry me. After 10 days of dating she said “Yes.” We were married May 9, 1970, just before moving to California. For a little more school.
This will be the 41st New Year’s Eve we don’t go out. It’s now a tradition. We tell people we don’t go out on New Year’s Eve because we didn’t go out that first year. In truth, we spend it together (except one year I was in Vietnam.) We know we will never top New Year’s Eve 1969. This New Year’s Eve Nicky and Samantha may come over. We promised them a sleep over during the Christmas holidays and the holiday are almost over. We may set off some fireworks. Have some hot chocolate. Who knows. I know we won’t go out. But we will remember the most exciting Christmas/New Year’s ever and 40 years of being blessed.
Happy New Year and
Be blessed.
Nick
Aw! I remember my pastor speaking on family traditons–especially in the form of celebrations–and how having traditional family celebrations promote family unity.
God celebrates family unity. Have a blessed New Year and happy anniversary, Brother Nick.