Like the other kids, Anna had the Christmas holidays off from school. Christmas she loved and even felt she understood fairly well. There was always a beautiful tree, Christmas cards, wonderful presents, plenty of good food and lots of relatives visited. And this year was no exception.

But Christmas had passed, and now it was New Years Eve. And she had been sent to bed at the usual time and long before the focal point of New Years Eve, which was apparently midnight. In bed, she pondered New Years. Why did adults make such a fuss over New Years? Christmas, she felt, lasted from just after Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas day. But New Years seemed to be just a moment in time. And there was no New Years tree, or bush or anything else, and there were no New Years presents. Drag! So really she didn't see why she should care about New Years at all. She was thinking such thoughts when she fell asleep.

Next thing she was aware of was sitting in a large over-suffed chair in a room filled with book shelves and books. Opposite her, sitting in a similar chair was Luv with a puzzled smile on his face. "Do you have a question?", inquired Luv.

"I do," replied Anna, "but I don't think you can help." "Perhaps not," said Luv, "but since you're here, why not give it a push."

That seemed like an odd expression, but Anna got the drift of what Luv was saying. And she thought it made sense. Why not ask? So she told Luv what she knew about New Years. And she asked him: "Why should I care about New Years?" "Ah", said Luv, you ask a most interesting question. I have studied your culture and have a few things to say that you may find useful. But take them with a grain of salt. OK?"

"OK", said Anna, not really knowing how swallowing a grain of salt would help her to understand anything. Luv then launched into his answer: "You know how on your planet you have a repeating cycle of seasons -- spring, summer, fall, winter -- over and over again. Well, it's useful and reassuring to note the beginning of a new cycle, or year, as you call it. That's what you do at New Years."

"Alright", said Anna, "but why begin January 1?" "Well", said Luv, the reasons are rather peculiar, and rather arbitrary in my opinion. If it was up to me, the year would begin with the first day of Spring. But it's not up to me. I don't even live on Earth. Let's just say it's somewhat arbitrary, but still useful and reassuring."

"Anyway", said Anna, "I still don't see why I should care about New Years." "Ah, good!" said Luv, "You have not forgotten your original question. Let me try to turn my answer in that direction. Celebrating the New Year is a way of celebrating your connection to the seasons of your planet. You are celebrating the passage of a cycle of seasons and looking forward to a new cycle. If you love your planet and its cycles, celebrating makes sense to me."

"Well, thank you." said Anna, "I think that actually helps. I do love the seasons. I love the flowers in Spring, I love the lush growth in Summer, I love the many colored falling leaves in Fall, and I love the snow in Winter. And I love so much more about the seasons. I'm quite happy to celbrate my connection to the seasons."

Luv smiled contentedly, and as he, and the room and the books, faded and disappeared, he waved his arms and exclaimed "Happy New Year to All! and to all a good day!" And then Anna awoke to the New Year.

THE END