MIA? Sort of. Since the bubbly-filled ritual to ring in the new year, I've been hibernating, nose in the laptop as I try to wrap up one manuscript (Fred Hayman book) and move on to another (Dita's yet to be announced beauty how-to). But, on this 12th night, I'm "back" and the calendar's already filling fast, so I'll have much to share.
As a girl, I always loved this day. My mother practiced many of the traditions she grew up with in Spain, where, like in many other Catholic-heavy countries around the world, the practice on this day is to place a shoe in the window so as the Three Wise Men go by on their merry way to visit the manger, they would know a child lives there and leave something inside. In the morning, Blanca and I couldn't wait to jump out of bed to discover the surprise in our shoe (or, right next to it!). Even as teens, we would humor the tradition, and my mother always tucked in some choice bauble (a vintage brooch or something she made). I'm sure there's some metaphorical wisdom in there about Cinderella or how there are rewards to be had in life when we walk in shoes that are the right fit...or not.
A not so belated Happy 2009.
-Rose
As a girl, I always loved this day. My mother practiced many of the traditions she grew up with in Spain, where, like in many other Catholic-heavy countries around the world, the practice on this day is to place a shoe in the window so as the Three Wise Men go by on their merry way to visit the manger, they would know a child lives there and leave something inside. In the morning, Blanca and I couldn't wait to jump out of bed to discover the surprise in our shoe (or, right next to it!). Even as teens, we would humor the tradition, and my mother always tucked in some choice bauble (a vintage brooch or something she made). I'm sure there's some metaphorical wisdom in there about Cinderella or how there are rewards to be had in life when we walk in shoes that are the right fit...or not.
A not so belated Happy 2009.
-Rose
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