Hope
The crowd mills about outside the Tron Kirk. It is a cold, clear, frosty night, but you are kept warm by your anticipation.
It is December 31st – Hogmanay – in Edinburgh and the clock is making its maddingly slow way towards midnight. Nobody speaks to his neighbour unless he is in the same group.
The clock begins its song. On the first bong there is pure joy. Your neighbour, whom you have never seen before hugs you and thrusts a bottle into your hand. Now there is no ‘them and us’, Scot or Sassenach, no world dichotomy.
It’s a New Year.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI love the local history and background in your story, Allan.
Admittedly I am curious- what are you so proudly holding in your hands in your avatar?
Thank you Margarida. The object in my hand is the World Cup for T20 cricket, which was won by England that year. I used to work for Sussex County Cricket Club, which supplied 2 members of the team, hence the logo on my jacket..
Wow! This is a lovely story, Allan. A beautiful reminder of New Year’s eve and all the hopes.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Thompson. The scenario is actually from my youth, as the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh have now taken on a huge commercial life. Tron Kirk in Hunter Square used to be the centre of celebrations; now it is all about Princes Street and the sale of a million tickets. ?
You did a great job of capturing the optimism for a new year! The anticipation, the hope for a better new year; and kicking the new year off with a bang!
As my memory inexorably matures and colours things rose, it really was a bang in those days.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI really enjoyed this, and yet it also made me sad that we wait all year for an opportunity to shed our prejudices, fears and cultural inhibitions. Yes, it’s hopeful, but also instructive, perhaps.
Indeed, Preston. Why don’t we do this every day of every year?
The title of your story says it all, Allan! The ending, so full of hope. Another well written, heaped in history, gem.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Linda. At my age one has a lot of history. The trick is to use it wisely!
Hello, Allan. Thanks for the new word “Hogmanay.” It is an enjoyable read. I loved the imagery of the New years eve that full of hope for better new year. Well done, Allan.
Thank you Lotchie. I’ve never looked upon ‘Hogmanay’ as a new word. I guess as a Scot the word is embedded in my conscience, handed down by generations of ‘hopers!’
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAs a Filipino, it is a new word for me. You are welcome, Allan.
As is halohalo to me, Lotchie.
hahahaha. 🙂 You know about halohalo, Allan? What about Balut?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI’d never heard of it, so I looked it up on google. Kainin mo yan sa Pilipinas??? I thought we were bad enough with haggis!
Kainin mo yan sa Pilipinas??? – Yes. hehehe. It is delicious with spicy vinegar. Haggis looks so yummy?
Looks and tastes yummy. You just don’t want to know what it’s made of!!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThat’s intriguing. Better not to find out. hehehehe.