The presents have been opened, carols sung, eggnog consumed and now we languish in the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Whether you plan to usher in the new year at a large public gathering or a small intimate affair with family and friends, it’s a time to note the passage of time with both reflection on the past and anticipation of the future.
The ancient Romans derived the name for the month of January from their god Janus, who had two faces, one looking backward and the other forward, a befitting symbol of our desire to reflect on this year’s accomplishments (some of which we’re highlighting in this paper) and to make resolutions and goals to improve ourselves in the new year.
Hope for a better life is not a new concept. The late American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.”
Whether each of us chooses to make resolutions or not, as the clock strikes midnight and the new year begins, we may cheer, make a toast, kiss loved ones, shoot off fireworks or sing the ballad “Auld Lang Syne”, a Scottish folk song translated into English as Old Long Since whose lyrics are about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago. While we may each live different lives, our hopes are all the same: for a new year filled with life, health and happiness.
Mayor Nate Kilton said celebrating New
Year’s Eve is about spending quality time with family and friends but as a community leader he also reflects on Plant City’s past and future. “We saw a lot of success in all areas of our community in 2022 and I expect nothing different for 2023,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have an outstanding leadership team in our city government and huge support from the many nonprofit organizations and citizens.”
The staff at the Plant City Observer would like to thank our loyal readers who open our newspaper or sign-in online to stay informed about what’s happening here in our own backyards. We wish you have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.