Solitary Celebration

At midnight last night I stepped out onto the sidewalk of my apartment to a huge explosion of fireworks. The burst of color and sparkle cascaded down in the sky as it made a silhouette of the massive oak trees. I pulled my robe tighter around me to keep warm against the cold of the first day of January.  I tried to find excitement that would equal all of the popping, crackling and loud booms of celebration. I looked to my left and about 100 feet away was an elderly man ( elderly because he's older than me). He was also in his robe as he watched the magnificent display. He turned and looked at me and we both returned our attention to the welcoming of the new year. He looked so solitary as he stood there alone watching the beginning of the new year unfold. Suddenly I felt  the cool air ...that carried a singular spirit... blow gently around my shoulders. Each of us in our own thoughts slowly walked back into our apartments. As I closed the door behind me I thought " Happy New year solitary old man, I hope it will treat you well."