Christmas Eve

The light of the street lamps reflects off the wet, black pavement. Rain drips off my hat and rolls down my trench coat. The cars stream past with a whizzing sound, their tires sending off a fine spray that sloshes down the curb. Last minute shoppers clutch their plastic bags and scurry by with their umbrellas up and their heads down. They mutter about the rain instead of snow, how unseasonable this weather is. They do not see me.

Santa Lucia Day

Santa Lucia Day is celebrated throughout Europe and other places, but it is especially popular in Scandinavian countries. Saint Lucy lived in the 3^rd century during a time of extreme prejudice against Christians. According to one story, she brought food to Christians hiding in the catacombs. In order to free her hands to carry as much food as possible, she fashioned a wreath with candles that she wore on her head to light her way through the catacombs.

(Belated) Sinterklaas Day, The Netherlands

Starting off the December holidays is Sinterklaas Day. I personally enjoy this one because it gives me a chance to celebrate my Dutch heritage, although my family’s celebrations were much more simple than those in The Netherlands. There, the holiday is marked with parades, festivals, and gift-giving. Christmas, on the other hand, is a quieter family affair.

My Apologies

All of a sudden it's the end of November, winter is here, and it's been five months since I've shown proof of life. However, I have now finished my cross-country move, have settled in nicely, and finished up my college degree, so now I have time to breathe. I thoroughly enjoyed a beautiful New England autumn after living spending the last four years in an area where the only seasons were wet and dry. I've let this beautiful season slip by without posting the autumn alphabet acrostics. So that's something to look forward to next year. Instead, throughout December, you'll be getting holiday stories from around the world.

Phoenix (part 3 of 3)

So now there are fourteen graves on the top of the hill. It wasn't easy to get people accustomed to burning their dead to understand why it was so important to me. Carson told me once to make sure he was never cremated. I’m not sure if the others cared. But I did. It had happened too quickly; they were gone too soon. I’d be lying if I said I had insisted for the sake of any other person but me.