Dear Kid,

Once again, there was soccer. Women’s World Cup Soccer to be more specific.

The other night the US women won their game against Germany.

And while they may have won, they didn’t exactly play to Dad’s standard. I know this because of the string of “No, no, NO! What are you thinking!?!” and “Cross! Cross! Aw, come on, you gotta play better than that!” and other similar comments snarls bellows.

Dad also found it necessary to comment on the officiating. “What? Are you kidding me? How can you not call that?” and “Nope, nope, nothing there, play on, good no call.”

Frankly, I’m amazed he didn’t lose his voice.

Last night was the Japan/England game. I’m not sure if Dad didn’t care as much or whether he really had lost his voice, but there was a lot less couch coaching.

The next game will be Saturday, USA versus Japan for the World Cup Title.

I’m off to buy earplugs.

Love, Mom

Dear Kid,

First things first. Turns out that Clemson trounced Oklahoma University the other night. My apologies.

Tomorrow is the first of January (you knew that, but I needed a transition).

Many people focus on resolutions for the new year. They make promises to themselves for all sorts of things (and by “all sorts of things” I mean weight loss, new job, working out more, etc.).

Those resolutions generally last somewhere up to 6 days, 8 hours, and 49 minutes.

Yet we (and by “we” I mean most of us) make resolutions, knowing we are unlikely to keep them.

The Japanese have a different approach.

The new year is a very important holiday in Japan. Rather than focusing on resolutions, the Japanese hold “Bonenekai” or “forget-the-year-party” to say goodbye to the problems and troubles of the past year and prepare for a new beginning.

Rather than making promises for the future, they release the old and make room for the new. By opening themselves up to the possibilities of the new year, they create room for whatever comes their way.

It’s a very different way of looking at things.

It’s one I think I’m going to try this year.

Goodbye 2014—it’s been nice knowing you.

Hello 2015—I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.

Happy New Year, kiddo!

Love, Mom