Throw those shoes down the steps on New Year's Eve!

Holidays bring family together and each nationality has their own rituals to welcome in the New Year. Depending on how many generations ago the family came to the United States will usually make the determination if tradition is or is not followed. I admit that, even though I am only the second generation Italian to be born in the USA, I've sat and watched our traditions fall by the wayside. Perhaps I will do better this year!

As a child growing up in South Philadelphia, we lived on the second floor apt at 12th and Ellsworth St. An adopted aunt and uncle lived in the apt below us and shared in our Italian heritage. I remember all of us standing at the top of the stairs around 11:55 PM and taking off our shoes and throwing them down the steps. At midnight, when the New Year was official, we would walk down the steps in our stocking feet and put on our shoes and climb back up the steps.

This assured that all our troubles from the ending year would not be carried forward to the incoming New Year. We then gathered around the phenomenal buffet of Italian lunchmeats, hoagie rolls, chips and other snacks to fill our tummies. I remember my dad also handing me a brand new silver dollar and a shot of whiskey in a shot glass. Someone would make a toast and then we could eat.

The symbology of it all was that our home would be filled with food, drink, love and money. Dad always made sure he got the silver dollars back after the "Salute" being the tightwad he always was. But it was the early 1950's and the money was not as easy to come by.

So here we are, only a few days away from a new year. We all wonder if 2006 will be a happier and more prosperous year than 2005. We hope we have learned to love unconditionally and be ever so much more thankful that we have a roof over our heads and food for our body and soul. We all need to think of everyone affected by the tragedies this year and say a prayer that they will have a reason to celebrate gratefully what we take for granted.