It is a Japanese custom to write with a writing brush on the second day of the year.
New Year’s Eve was always a special time for me as an older child. I used to babysit with my best friend her little brother at her house. We were allowed to stay up until way past midnight, drink cola and eat chips! Something I was never allowed at home unless there was a party. Her parents were having a New Year’s Eve “reveillons” with my parents at my home. About 30 seconds to midnight I would dial (in those days we had rotary phones!) and wait until midnight before letting go of the last digit of my home phone number, to be the FIRST to wish my mom and dad Happy New Year’s.
Another race New Year’s for our family was to be the first to ask our father (grandfather in my mother’s case) to be blessed for the new year. I always felt extra special if I got to my dad before my sister. At my grandparents, however, all seven children knelt in the living room as my grandfather blessed them all ONCE. {My grandmother, actually took over this role when my grandfather died even if she was a woman.}
If there was not too much snow, we often went out behind my grandparents’ home to ice skate on the river. Those were wonderful times when it was safe to do this as the winters were cold for many months, not like today where we get rain at Christmas.
I was saddened reading about Issa’s childrens’ passing so early in life. But I am pleased he wrote poems of laughter and joyous times in their memory.
kodomora ga kitsune no mane mo susuki kana
the children
pretend to be foxes…
pampas grass
© Kobayashi Issa
New Year’s Eve
children playing with the fresh fallen snow –
fireworks coloring the sky
© Chèvrefeuille
I will be writing in that youthful joyous vein.
Guy Lombardo
ringing in the New Year
got Mom first
Santa’s new skates
on the moonlit river
Dad blessed me first.
© Tournesol ’14/07/27
Submitted for: Carpe Diem Haiku Kai, #526, Issa,(5) “New Year’s Writing”
A beautifully created haibun – warm and personal, evocating emotional empathy in the reader – very nice.
LikeLike
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
To be blessed by one’s dad is an unforgettable experience.
After New Year’s Eve
LikeLike
Yes it is….something I really missed when my parents divorced. It was one rare time he was very humble and kind.
LikeLike
A lovely haibun .. very moving, lovely memories.
LikeLike
Sweet New Year haiku and loving post thanks ~ ^_^
artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
LikeLike
You write so beautifully!! thank you for reading my post! I could not find a place to comment on your last post but it is truly uplifting 🙂
LikeLike
A beautiful haibun Cheryl Lynn and I think these are really nice memories … the time of Christmas and New Year is my favorite time of the year and it’s really for the family …
LikeLike
Thank you,Christmas IS for the family and those who are alone should be invited…I started a tradition Christmas eve to always invite a nephew who is usually alone . And Christmas day I pick up a shift at work that way my kids don’t have to feel guilty for having other plans and I love taking calls from youthsChristmas mornings at 7am.
LikeLike
Christmas is a milestone to me every year and my wife and invite all our family into our home, because Christmas is for celebrating family love …
LikeLike
That’s lovely….Christmas is a time to share that love.
LikeLike