St. Nicholas Day

December 6th--it's St. Nicholas Day.  I have very fond memories as a child of this day.  At school, we'd leave our shoes in the hallway during recess and when we came back, St. Nicholas had filled them with treats.  At home, we'd awaken to stuffed stockings.  Fruit and peanuts were paired with a bit of candy and one toy.  My dad's stocking was often filled with charcoal--to remind us of what happens if you're naughty.  And, let's face it, Dad was pretty naughty.  Served him right for telling so many bad jokes.

As a non-Catholic, I have struggled to fit this into our family traditions.  The girls don't understand what a saint is or how St. Nicholas is different from Santa.  Nick never had this tradition as a kid so the whole thing is foreign to him.  They had filled stockings on Christmas morning--you know, like normal people. 

Despite it all, St. Nicholas did come last night and dutifully filled our stockings with some of everyone's favorite things and a few surprises.  Ivy has comfortably made the transition into a non-believer but Iris is clingting to the magic.  I'm sad for the day when it's over for her but her childlike heart isn't letting her brilliant mind ruin things any time soon.  Bebo is terrified of the real Santa but is glad he brings her toys, which is all she really wants. I am happy to enjoy their surprise and delight when they see the stockings filled to the brim with holiday treats and will hold on to these treasures for as long as possible. 

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