Twelve Grapes for “Buena Suerte”

At the stroke of midnight, in a few short hours, many of us will be raising a glass to close out 2017 and welcome 2018. The clinking of glasses, the bubbles of champagne or sparkling wine tickling the back of your throat as you take one sip in a moment of celebratory unity with the world. The clock has been reset, another chance to get it right.

In many Latino households, the first order of the New Year is not a champagne toast but the consumption of 12 grapes—one eaten at each of the 12 strokes of the hour. If completed successfully, this superstitious ritual, which originated in Spain, guarantees luck in the coming year.

Over the years, I have not been as practiced at this ritual; I prefer the bubbly stuff myself. Seeing that I could use a side of luck to bolster my can-do attitude, I figure why not. It’s been a year of change for me, but change is evolutionary and is not always confined by a calendar year.  Of course once I am done with my 12 grapes, I will be washing them down with a glass or two of the sparkly stuff in the company of good friends.

So to all who follow my journey and blog, my wish for all of you is to enjoy a prosperous new year, however you choose to define prosperity for yourself.

Happy New Years!