The Lantern Corridor

Lanterns hung from every doorframe and windowsill down the street that led to the centre of town. If you stand at the end of the street and look towards the centre, it creates a spectacular picture of a corridor filled with colour and warmth. This is the street that reminds me that the new year is almost here. It is the night when we come together to say goodbye and thank you to the year that is passing.

The air is filled with excited chatter and smells that tickle the tongue with longing, as the townspeople are all slowly coming to the street to find a good spot and enjoy the stalls as they wait for the evening’s ritual to welcome in the new year. It is a scene that helps a small smile creep to the lips, and eyes to look on with warmth and affection. With every step towards my evening spot, my smile grows just a little bit bigger, and the bounce in my step gets a little bit higher.

Grandmother always told me that we must be grateful that we are able to celebrate bringing in the new year. She would also always say that it is important to show our thanks for being able to live through the year, and experience and learn so many things. We need to show thanks for the moments we were sad and frustrated, and the moments we were happy and excited. Because we have experienced all these things, it shows that we are alive and that we were able to live through this last year.

A deep chuckle drifts to my ears, and a conversation that I had with my grandmother earlier in the day comes to mind. It happened as I sat in a dark chair that is found in the corner of her living room. With her deep, raspy voice she taught me something new about the old years’ eve dance ritual, and it all started with a simple question.

‘Grandmother, why do we dance in the new year’s celebration?’

 ‘Well, my child, dancing can capture our emotions and express them in a way that others can feel it. The dance draws us in and even though it is a single dancer that is dancing for all of us, they are a reflection of our emotions of the past year and our hope for the new one. All you need to do is take a closer look at how the dancer dances.”

“How they dance?”

My tone must have been one of puzzlement as it made my grandmother chuckle with a deep laugh.

“Yes,” She chuckled “Look at the way they dance and how their movements match the music. Because every year the dance is different.”

“No, it’s not. The dance is not different. It is the same dance ritual each year.”

With a rise of her eyebrow, she looked at me with mischievous eyes. “Are you sure about that? I have never seen the same dance each year.”

“But it is the same, they start at the same place, they dance the same steps and even wear the same costume each year.”

“But is the dancer the same child?”

“No, there is a new dancer every year. “

“Exactly” she exclaimed with a clap of her hands. “Each year someone new is able to dance the old years eve dance, and they bring their own style, abilities, experiences, and emotions. As they dance, they tell us their own story of the past year.”

“And you can tell the difference,” I asked her skeptically.

“If you pay attention, then yes you can tell the difference.”

“Will I be able to tell the difference?”

“With a little practice and concentration. You just need to start watching the dance with your own experiences of the past year in mind.”

“I would not even know where to start with that.” I pouted.

“And that is why it takes practice. I don’t know if my trick will work for you but if you want to give it a try, I’ll tell you what I do.”

“Oh yes please Grandmother,” I said excitedly.

“Okay, so what I do is as the dancer starts to dance at the end of Lantern Street, I think about the start of my year, my dreams and hopes I had for that year, then as they move down the street towards the town centre, I think about all the ups, downs and adventures that I have gone through in the year.”

It sounded easy enough, but I still don’t completely understand what grandmother was talking about. The one thing that I know is that the dancers are always beautiful.

In just a few steps I will be at my special spot, which is a good thing because the street is becoming more crowded. Soon the whole town will be here as it is almost time for the old year’s eve dance. Just past one more street and up the buildings side ladder and I will be ready for the evening.

There is something truly special about a bird’s eye view, I can see enough details of the dance and enjoy the overall picture of the story at the same time. The best part is that I can follow the dancer along the rooftop trail as the dance moves down Lantern Street, and if there is enough space I can even dance a few of the steps. Though mother would die of a heart attack if she ever knew.

But this year I want to see what grandmother was talking about if the dance is truly different. I can tell Lantern Street is just as beautiful from above as it is down below, warming and welcoming. As I look to the end of the street, I can see the dancer has arrived and is preparing for the start of the old years’ eve dance, and the crowd has started to quieten. This year the dancer is a girl, not much older than me. I can see her fixing her costume and gathering her pose. She looks like a glittering white star as she stands there waiting in her flowing dancer’s costume. She is the star amongst the dark night and the brightest light amongst the lanterns.

She is still for a moment and the air went silent, even the night animals held their breath in anticipation. A slow low drumbeat starts to sound and a melody so warm and thankful starts to take form. Her movements match the beat as she dances the ritual steps.

 I did as my grandmother said, I start to think about the start of my year, my hopes and dreams. As I watch her dance it seems as though her movements have a hint of happiness and excitement. As she moves down the street towards the town centre her dance slowed when the melody slowed, and her movements give a feeling of sadness and grief. When the melody gathers speed, so did her actions and a joyous feeling of happiness comes through.

 As I watch her take each step I can feel the moments of frustration, struggle, and strife, as well as determination, kindness, and love. It is as though her dance mirrors my emotions as I think about my journey through the year. I can see it, I can feel it, she is dancing my story.

She is saying, “I understand, I have been through this journey, and with gratitude I made it.”

As gratitude fills my heart, the warmth I feel brings a pickle of tears to my eyes. Even though I am not on the street dancing with her, my heart is longing too. I can feel this ach in my body telling me to move to melody, to bend and curve and twist.

The closer she gets to the centre of town the more the melody starts to pick up its beat and becomes a joyous tone. Taking its cue from the music excitement starts to ripple through the crowd. Soon we will say our final thanks and farewell to the old year, and welcome in a new year with hope and happiness.

As she gently places her foot onto the centre square the music stops and the crowd goes still. In silence, with her head bent in thanks, she steps towards the fire pit. Slowly she spreads her arms towards the sky and with a graceful motion she starts to twirl creating a fluttering of material around her. The countdown is starting.

Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

She stops her twirls and with a graceful deep bow and an air of thankfulness, she faces the crowd, and the fire roars into life behind her. The old year is over, and the new year is finally here.

Lively music dances through the air as the crowd gathers in the street to join in the celebration. You can see the children running up to the small fire pits around the big fire. In their hands are the letters that contain their wishes for this year. As they throw them into the fire you can see their dreams lifting into the night sky. I too will send my wishes with theirs. I can see everyone’s joy, excitement, and love, clasping hands and giving hugs.

Grandmother is right, each dance is different because each person is different. We all experience things differently and see the world through our own eyes and experiences. But we all understand grief, pain, and sadness. We know frustration, struggles, and strife, and we strive for peace, laughter, and happiness. I hope soon I will be able to share my dance with everyone, as I thank the old year for everything I have learned, and welcome in the New with hope and courage.