Aud Lang Syne, Robert Burns

Some things only make sense when you're older.

When you're young you don't listen to those who aren't. You're infatuated with self and otherness is near impossible.

Even in moments when what they said caught your attention. It brings you to a halt because it rings true. But dammit, there's no one way you're going to admit they could be right.

This brings me to "Aud Lang Syne". When I was young it was that dumb song that was played on New Year's Eve. It was that song drunk old people sang. It's that song from "When Harry met Sally". It's that song with funny words that no one understands that gets sung on...you get the idea.

But then you get older. And the things that secured you shift/disappear. A best friend moves. A parent dies. Relationships splinter.

You become older.

And what your parents said resonates. The advice you scorned from your teacher comes back to haunt you. And you're glad you still have your mates. You're older together.

The final indignation is "Aud Lang Syne" rings true.

Sure it's not a Christmas song per se but it's that time of the year when you think...

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

You don't look back over the year, but years. There are good times and bad. Comfort and sorrow. Some things make sense but some remain out of reach.

If only life was simple. Well, it is when you're young. But now that you're older, life is harder...

We too have run around the slopes, and picked the daisies fine
We've londoned many weary foot, since auld lang syne

If only life merely involved running and picking daisies, or in my case, things off the side of the road in a council cleanup. No, life can be weary.

But the song's antidote to weariness is surprising. It's not a holiday or more money. It's the thing we think only children should adopt. And that is, kindness...
 
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne  

Christmastime can be unkind. We refresh old wounds. We stand in long queues, buying things others don't need. We do the runaround. We worry about the new year. At this time of the year we are weary. Yet it is kindness that helps us run this weary race.

So be kind.

Don't wait till you're older to learn this lesson, kiddies. For too many things may pass you, more importantly too many people. I wish I had started learning this lesson sooner.

So, keep your presents. Come drink with me. I'll gladly take a cup of kindness with you. And yes, we'll probably end up singing this song with funny lyrics.

Dammit, they were right.