To honestly reflect on how we welcomed this freshly commenced year 2023, is to say that it was

different comparing beyond those previous years. It was new because it was different. During those past
years, we were almost complete with the new year's eve set up welcoming us as we go downstairs from
from our respective rooms reserved in Lola’s house. Yet this year, it was completely different. Almost
half of the family we'rent able to make it here in our province to celebrate because of work, abroad, and
new built families in Manila. In first thought, it's strange. Admitting it, it was a bit sad as the déjà vu of
the past strikes. But as I heard my aunt asking for the karoake be paused first and turn the channel to
the mass we always hear during evening of December 31st, I knew the spirit was still there. It built spark
again. With that instance, we listened to the mass which is yearly on a live telecast on our television
which accumulated us in the living room - even we were only few present at home. I’ve realized few
hours after our simple yet meaningful celebration that the spirit that New Year holds never diminishes
as people grow but rather builds new symbolism and hope to look forward to because God is here no
matter how grandiose or plain it might be. It may not be consistently complete and as happy as we were
before because of a complete count of the family, what is important was that the idea never fails to give
us optimism in life and a chance to look both backwards and forward especially with the presence of
God in our hearts. In simple put, it is different, but still the same.