Glaedelig Lille Julaften

Norwegians, living as they do
in some pretty grim and dark
December weather, make the most of Christmas.

They even have a name for the day

before Christmas Eve:  Lille Julaften.

Translation:  Little Christmas Eve.

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My mother and I always called one another on Lille Julaften.

We'd compare our Julekake, or Christmas bread, and just spend some time away from the pre-Christmas-Eve whirlwind.

Reminiscing.  Catching up.  Winding down.

My mother believed it was okay to still be baking or cleaning on Lille Julaften;

by the next day, all chores were to be finished so you would be in a calm and serene state of mind,

ready for that night's church services, and ready to settle your children down with gentle words and quiet stories.

Yeah, that often happens to mothers with young children -- serenity before Christmas.

I didn't say it always turned out that way, but it was something to aim for.

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I miss my mother very much today.

I visited my Dad this afternoon.

But he and I don't talk of holiday decorating or cleaning,

or past Christmas triumphs or trials,

or what the choir will sing tomorrow night,

or whether Granny Gustafsen's Julekake recipe trumps Mom Eriksen's.

No, Dad and I talked about plumbing, and gifts for the staff where he lives.

Practical things.

I think I will call my sister now, and wish her a Glaedelig Lille Julaften.

I wonder if she baked Julekake?

I'm breaking the rules, and baking mine tomorrow.

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I wish you all a

Glaedelig Lille Julaften!

-- Cass