Singing in the new year

Dear Readers: Happy New Year. We hope 2013 will be the best year ever for each and every one of you. May you be blessed with good health, close family, kind friends, love and laughter. We hope you will make this the year you vow to be kinder and more compassionate so you can help the world become a better place in which to live.

In honor of the day, here is poem written by William Cullen Bryant in 1859:

”A Song for New Year’s Eve”

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay —

Stay till the good old year,

So long companion of our way,

Shakes hands, and leaves us here.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong,

Has now no hopes to wake;

Yet one hour more of jest and song

For his familiar sake.

Oh stay, oh stay,

One mirthful hour, and then away.

The kindly year, his liberal hands

Have lavished all his store.

And shall we turn from where he stands,

Because he gives no more?

Oh stay, oh stay,

One grateful hour, and then away.

Days brightly came and calmly went,

While yet he was our guest;

How cheerfully the week was spent!

How sweet the seventh day’s rest!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One golden hour, and then away.

Dear friends were with us, some who sleep

Beneath the coffin-lid:

What pleasant memories we keep

Of all they said and did!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One tender hour, and then away.

Even while we sing, he smiles his last,

And leaves our sphere behind.

The good old year is with the past;

Oh be the new as kind!

Oh stay, oh stay,

One parting strain, and then away.

————

Dear Annie: Several years ago, you printed a piece on New Year’s Day that I thought was terrific. It was called “Golden Rules for Living.” It was simple and made so much sense. If you can find it, would you consider reprinting it?

— Your Fan in Madison, Wis.

Dear Fan: With pleasure. Thanks for giving us the time off.

”Golden Rules for Living”
by Miriam Hamilton Keare

1. If you open it, close it.

2. If you turn it on, turn it off.

3. If you unlock it, lock it up,

4. If you break it, admit it.

5. If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.

6. If you borrow it, return it.

7. If you value it, take care of it.

8. If you make a mess, clean it up.

9. If you move it, put it back.

10. If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.

11. If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.

12. If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.

————

Dear Annie: Please tell “Nervous in Vermont,” the young man who is longing to let his family know he is a transgender male, that Vermont is extremely fortunate to have an organization, Outright Vermont, that supports LGBTQ youth. He will be able to connect with a dedicated and skilled staff, as well as with other youth who will understand what he is experiencing. Outright Vermont (outrightvt.org) is located in Burlington.

This young man also could investigate whether his school has a Gay-Straight Alliance or similar organization. He also can speak with his school or SAP counselor (if he is comfortable doing so) for support and strategies to talk with his mother.

— A Vermont GSTA Adviser and SAP Counselor

————

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

— Creators Syndicate Inc.