Since we became parents, my husband and I have preferred to have a good night's sleep on New Year's Eve. This year was no different. I did happen to be awake around midnight and was taking some laundry out of the washing machine when the fireworks really started, a few minutes before the new year began. My husband stepped out of the front door into the cold to watch, and told me to come. I figured that I could see the fireworks better from our second floor bedrooms where I could also stay warm, but I went outside anyway.
He said, "Have you ever heard anything like this?" He said that the only times that he'd experienced this were the two New Year's when he had lived in Tirana more than 20 years ago. It was quite something. Individuals all over the city had fireworks that they were setting off continuously for 7-8 minutes. I liken it to being in a bag of popcorn when all of the kernels start popping together. One friend who saw my husband's video described it well. He said that it was 360 degrees of fireworks. We were surrounded by this display and sound of celebration- thankfulness for the past year and hope for the upcoming one. Perhaps it was also just a good excuse for some families to have fun with fireworks!
I went back into the house to grab my phone and start taking videos from the second floor windows. As I was recording and experiencing it all, I began to think about the people around me. Here's a nation that has a very long history together. They and their ancestors have gone through a lot. Everyone over thirty years old had grown up under communist rule. Their ancestors had been invaded and ruled by the Turkish empire for centuries. Currently, the economy isn't great. The cost of living is very high compared to the meager daily wage. Under communism, they weren't allowed to openly celebrate Christmas, so New Year's was always a big deal. The schools take two weeks off. One for Christmas, and one for New Year's. This display of fireworks was a way that they have joined together in one heart, one mind, and one purpose to express themselves.
It reminds me of what Jesus said about the power of being united. "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:20-21
When two of our older boys had gone to our neighborhood bakery to get bread earlier that day, the owners told them that they should get bread for the next two days because they would be closed for "pushime" (poosheemay- rest/vacation). That was very kind of them to mention that to them. My boys hadn't brought enough money for more loaves. When they went back later, the bakery was closed. What I hadn't realized was that nearly EVERY store would be closed on January 1st and 2nd. Some cafes were open, as were a few small vegetable shops. Thankfully we had enough food in the house to eat well, and the milkman continued to bring us fresh milk. However, next year, I will know better!
You can check out our other works! If you like them, you can help us out by sharing our links on your social media accounts and asking your contacts to do the same! Thank you!
https://www.patreon.com/WarePublishing
https://www.waredesignworks.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/waredesignworks
To follow us on Twitter and Instagram:
https://x.com/AmyJoyCarlton?t=Ohwl7Pf5LhWSzYG40USr2w&s=09
https://x.com/WarePublishing?s=09
https://www.instagram.com/waredesignworks/
To listen to different thoughts from Edward:
https://rumble.com/c/c-5501477/videos
https://youtube.com/@edwardcarlton?si=HUHHNoh5NX0hW-La
God bless you!
