socks and years

Have you ever thought about how many socks you've lost over the years? You know, the ones that never show up with their mate when it's time to fold the laundry? There must be a huge pile of missing socks lurking about somewhere, all striped and polka dotted, hushing and hiding and being giddy every time we go to the store to purchase new pairs.

Years are kind of like socks, I guess. They have a knack for disappearing and causing us to scratch our heads and ask "Where did all those years go?"

I got to ring in 2013 with my 24-year-old son, Max. He and I played Scrabble. We found this old score sheet in the box. The years between that game long ago and the game last night: where are they?

In the lines on our faces. In the knowledge we have acquired. In the friends we have made. In the places we have traveled. In the friends and family we have lost. In the family we have gained. In the books we have read. In the lessons we have learned. In the things we have made. In the music we have heard. In the people we have loved. In the set-backs we have suffered. In the successes we have celebrated. In the laughter we have shared.

The socks eventually need replacing. The years, not so much. They're still there if you look hard enough.

Happy New Year to all.