April 08, 2007
yolk of heaven
4/8/07
.jpg)
looking for the last egg - oddly, you can see it elsewhere in the pic
Here's the way I see it - sure, they might be a little young for holidays. Lucy remembers one thing about Christmas, and that was a giant tree in our living room that we covered with crazy-colored crap. And today's Easter Egg Hunt? It took everything just to keep her from impersonating Cool Hand Luke by eating everything she found, especially the eggs that were covered in dirt. And I agree, dyeing Easter eggs in those little vinegar bowls is bizarre, almost as weird as disemboweling a pumpkin and putting a candle inside.
But this way she will never know a "new" holiday. She will carry with her an inkling of the same day from the year before, even if it's the vague notion of looking for eggs or rooting for presents under a tree. This essence of repeated ritual translates to "twas ever thus" for her, which gives the few rituals we still possess a more mystical meaning.
When I was two, my older brothers were still eleven and twelve, not to mention the 30 kid cousins milling about. For the Mormons, and even my own lapsed-faith family, these holiday traditions had gone on, as far as we knew, for 17.5 million years. When Tessa talks about how good I am at holidays, my only feeling is that it seems preternaturally disturbing not to do these things right. Somehow it offends the Easter Gods, the souls on Hallowed Eve, or even the Pilgrims and Indians giving thanks.
Today, as you read this, is Saint Gautier's Day. It's also Saint Casilda's Day too, but like you, I knew neither. Because so many days are non-descript, without celebration, it's important to sanctify the days you can. Ironically, for some of us without religion, the religious holidays are more important. Not just because the manufacturer of Marshmallow Peeps or Cadbury Creme Eggs tells us so, but because it allows parents to give their kids one thing that makes life worth living: something to look forward to.
.jpg)
oh yeah, she made her first pancake this morning too - nice shape! kinda looks like P.E.I.
That pancake looks delish! (And I found the egg...)
Two is such a great age. She has a birthday around the corner. Looking forward to hearing about it.
Found the egg.
Still don't see Waldo.
And Lucy's pancake is exactly how my pancakes look and I've got more than 34 years on her.
You know, when I think about it, the whole Worlsey clan are at best moderately successful at the business of life, but are virtuosos of the family gathering. What with the divorces, business troubles, bounced checks, failed classes and whatnot, put us all around a table at a holiday and it's still magic.
A lot of people dread family gatherings. In a lot of ways, most of my life is waiting to get to the next one.
aaahhh....marshmallow peeps. i haven't eaten any of mine yet because they are best when old and stale.
Interesting about St. Gautier's Day and St. Casilda's Day. Remember when Arbor Day was a big day when we were little? There was even a Charlie Brown special about it (catchily titled "It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown!"
I've always tried to get a group together to go blow up Parliament on Guy Fawkes Day (Nov. 5), but thus far I haven't been able to get enough people to jump the Pond with me to get it done. Oh well, some holidays just don't have that Hallmark appeal...
ahh - something to look forward to 'eh?
On Saturday my older son was having his birthday party with his friends, starting a 4pm, so we were feverishly cleaning the house.
The upstairs finished, we moved downstairs, then heard some crashing around upstairs so I went to investigate. The 4 year old (known as the Vermont Devil Child) had snagged the liquid soap from his bathroom, emptied it all over the floor in the upstairs play room, stripped naked as a jaybird and was running down the hall and sliding across the soaped up hardwood floor and crashing into the toys and walls.
A whole new mess to clean up.
Go PEI! You'll have to get Lucy hooked on Anne of Green Gables. Just don't tell her PEI had 25 cm of snow to celebrate Bunny Day.
"I've always tried to get a group together to go blow up Parliament on Guy Fawkes Day (Nov. 5), but thus far I haven't been able to get enough people to jump the Pond with me to get it done. Oh well, some holidays just don't have that Hallmark appeal..."
Make them watch V for Vendetta first!
Kent, you are so right-on about the Worsleys--to sit at a dinner table with any 4 or 5 of you is a rare experience for the lucky visitor. Lightning-quick wit, untoppable stories, vociferous opinions and a staggering dose of family love I've never yet seen the equal of gathered in one room.
I just had the delight of visiting with the LA branch--Ian, Tessa, and THE LUCE--which gave me sufficient cramp-inducing laughs to last at least until...Memorial Day!!! (Another minor holiday religiously observed by Ian)
Familiar holidays became even more important to celebrate after we moved our little family overseas. But in Thailand there's always a twist to doing so because most tsotchkes we incorporated into celebrations growing up aren't available here (Peeps, baskets, tinsel, candy canes, etc.) except to those with connections to the U.S. Embassy (which lefty Commie pinkos like us haven't got), where apparently the PX is stocked like a Walmart.
Funny thing is, after nearly six years here, some Thai holidays have become as traditional and de rigeur for my kids as Christmas. Particularly Loy Krathong (releasing decorated, candle-lit bamboo floats in the river for good luck in November) and Songkran (the Thai New Year, which involves slinging vats of water onto anyone and anything you come across -- messy, chaotic, and fun) in April -- this year, it's next weekend.
My husband is working in London for six months. I'm bringing the kids over regularly for visits. When we landed at Heathrow this past Sunday morning, I said, "It's Easter morning! We're going to do an Easter egg hunt later today with Dada!" and my older son replied, "Cool! But what about Songkran? Can we celebrate Songkran in London?" Of course! Next stop: the nearest Thai bistro to get the 411 on where displaced Thais plan to get drenched.
Congrats on Lucy's first self-made pancake!