This holiday season has been a real treat for me watching Mekdes absorb all of our cultural rituals and stories that surround the Christmas holiday. We have watched Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with absolute awe and joy. She is recognizing holiday music and lights up when she hears her favorites. What has been so fascinating is to see how steeped in tradition and lore we all are since birth and how that effects our beliefs. While Margo has no problem with the understanding of Santa, his job responsibilities on Christmas Eve and his sled being pulled by reindeer that fly, Mekdes continually asks.."So how does the sled fly?" "What do you mean the reindeer are magical?" "How does he see everyone in one night?" We breathe these facts in from the moment we enter this world and are taught all the glorious stories that surround this miraculous event. To see this child try to wrap her brain around our stories and beliefs has been pure joy for all of us!
The other day we were on the front porch putting up the greenery and Mekdes declares, "This is going to make Santa so happy!". I told her that he loves to see everyone in the holiday spirit. She paused for a moment and asked, "What color is Santa?". I froze! I have prepared myself for this type of question for years....I taught in the inner city....I have a degree in African American Studies....I have a binder full of articles on how to respond to your child when they have questions regarding color.....ARGH!!!! Why is my mind drawing a blank?! How do you see him in your heart? I think he is the color of love. What do I do? What do I do? And then Mekdes interrupted the silence. "Oh, ya.", she said. "He is red and white.". YES! YES! I joyfully concurred! He IS red and white! I sure do love these moments of levity. I truly feel they are reminders from our higher power telling us to relax and enjoy the moment.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
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