By Zarchka

I continue to write about the New Year as that’s the most current affair in the world as well as Armenia. I ‘ve been asking all my friends and acquaintances what their expectations of the coming year are. Most of them didn’t even know, and “yesim” followed as an answer. Was it apathy for their lives or the coming year I can’t say exactly, but one thing I know for sure — they expect that a miracle will happen and someone will transform their trying circumstances into a bed of roses instead of them.

Anyway, taking into consideration several characteristics and features common to Armenians, here is the result of my inquiry:

First, grandparents. They are of course happy to meet another year because every year they live as if it is going to be their last. You see, the Armenian family is much stronger then that of any Western country. No matter how much we grow up, we never forget our roots, and that’s the reason why Armenians have survived throughout the years. The family for an Armenian is a holy thing. Never try to insult it, because a genuine Armenian will always stand by his ancestors. I say this and want to believe it, although I accept that we have become rather forward lately. Our grandmothers always keep some raisins or candies under their apron for their grandsons who often find a cover under the same apron whenever their parents are angry with them. Most grandmothers’ expectations are that they will manage to finish knitting socks for their grandchildren and start another one rocking back on the rear legs of their chairs. Others can combine it with gossiping about rumours which are afloat. Grandfathers expect that the trees they have planted in previous years will grow and blossom, and that they will manage to support themselves with their fruit. After all, they are the people who most of all grasp for feeling the shining sun on this earth more and more… Long years of life, grandparents!!

Our parents – When they are already about 40 they want time to run slowly, but unfortunately, every year adds to their age and they feel older and older, mainly when they start counting the white hairs and wrinkles and keep an eye open for their children who are growing up. They remember their youth frequently and try to sum up the life they’ve spent, as if it’s flat on it, though our grandparents are meant to treat it like that. Some of them hope that there won’t be any more optimizations and they’ll continue to remain employed as teachers at schools while the others, the main part of Armenian women, will remain good housewives with no change in their life, as this is the traditional mentality. Women should stay at home, toiling at domestic chores and caring for their babies. Here, the father’s task is to augment family income by all possible means particularly when New Year events would make him go belly up. Some will cope with the thought of their absent sons serving in the army with the hope that they’ll return home safe and sound, while others pray for the health of their family. If a wife and husband have bickered over minor things, they hope that the coming year will brush away the resentments,. While clinking glasses full of Champagne they’ll say, “Let’s start everything from the beginning.”

Youth- While some students hope to pass the coming exams racking their brains over assignments, despondently ticking days off the calendar, swotting up spot questions, others will just offer a bribe and the deed will be done. Some guys hope that they will be promoted in their work, as they have worked hard during the year, but all that will go to the dogs, as other “Lav txeq” i.e. good guys, will just occupy their places as they are backed by “good dads.” The hope of these “good guys” is that dad will supply them with enough money to buy the latest model of cell phones, suits from Armani, and so on and so forth, so that they can dress up and rush through the city in their BMWs, thus attracting girls of the same type who parade down the street, trying too keep their balance on high heels. Yes, beauty demands sacrifices!

Per chance a guy thinks that this will be the year when he’ll have enough audacity to confess to a gal that he has been in love with her for a long time and he’ll hope to get a positive answer to his love. Let it rip!! True love will withstand every difficulty!!

And maybe a small part of youth will continue looking for means to change this world for the better…

And children, the most innocent of creatures, who still don’t have to bear the brunt of anything, and don’t have any responsibility but to laugh, expect to receive their desired presents from Santa Claus, be it a little car or a bike, a cat or a dog, a brother or a sister. Let your children laugh, as a good laugh is sunshine in the house!

No matter what nation, or what religion we belong, we shall be content with what we have, but aspire for the better. The future depends on what we do in the Present. We must always have some goals to set and ways to achieve them, and let them never get in the way of others. Do what you love and love what you do! Let us leave the garbage we have gained throughout the passing year and welcome the new year open hearted, and with no regrets. Let us live in Peace!!!

Happy New Year!!!