Fellowship of the new year

We passed into this New Year as a family, sitting is College chapel. It was a beautiful service. The watch night service is one we have attended for many years. As medical students there was the worry of University exams to write just a few days away, and then as we closed our eyes at 12 MN and the bell was rung, it was full of prayers for our studies! A few years down the line and we still have prayers for the New Year, but different in their content.
Shikha was at home last night and so we got her to take a family picture just before we walked over to the service.We were all a bit late in waking up after getting in only at 1 am. Breakfast was a royal affair and I really enjoyed it. Amma made cheese omelets and Appa fried sausages. Anne and Tripti were supposed to get to study, but Tripti insisted on explaining the plot of Miss Saigon to Amma and me and Anne fell asleep again! I guess the New Year is a cruel time to expect someone to study.
Lunch was a lovely roast Chicken. Amma had outdone hereself as usual. Balan acchachan, Naomi, Rahel and Ammachi ( Father's mother) are with us for the New Years. They drove down from Bangalore and it's been great fun catching up. Today has been a day for group photographs and so I have attached a picture of us.
The beauty of family and the fellowship of being with those we love is like a gift. Welcome 2006!