I wrote this as a blog entry.

1. The New
By: Karen Pilarski
The countdown begins. Soon horns will blare and colorful confetti will stick on tongues. The slushy
sidewalks now disturbed by shoe imprints. Flash pictures and drunken texts are reminders of the
intoxicated rush of excitement. Last calls and missed opportunities won’t sour the sheer happiness of
the New Year.
Newness is exhilarating. The feeling something out in the world is untainted and untouched. No residue
of past accidents or physical and emotional injury. Lack of prior knowledge or scars left over from
decades ago. No bumps hiding during the test drive to see if the ride will be smooth. Like the new year,
a promise of good things to come. Promises and resolutions made as people get caught up in the ‘new’.
There is the term used called a classic. Something out in the world that has withstood time. An object or
person from long ago that survived frosty fronts, scratches and jabs.
Unfortunately, if the will isn’t there, the old classic will be abandoned. The wear and tear will be too
much to bear. Once shiny and clean will become stale and rusted. No matter how many new years have
come to pass, it won’t ever have that fresh scent.
If it was ever valued it could be repaired brand new. If beloved, it would have been kept in great shape.
In fact it most likely was restored after hard work and determination.
If only that feeling could be bottled up and sprayed in the air. Maybe then the yearning for the ‘new’
would dissipate like colorful confetti littered on wet ground.