It is the 13th of December and Lucia is here. Or not here in my house, Lucia is a tradition I never brought to my children... but I sat down to watch the yearly Lucia ceremony on SVT Play (Swedish TV that is), and couldn't help but sobbing away the full hour in pure sentiment...
Lucia is one of those profound traditions that cuts like a knife into my Swedish heart because it is so incredibly beautiful and so deeply anchored in my soul... From early age Swedish children are rocked into this wonderful tradition of bringing light to the dark with dress up, candles, poems and choirs. I mean which Swedish kid has NOT dressed up as a star boy, ginger cookie, little Santa, Lucia maid or Miss Lucia herself with the crown of candles in her hair? Who hasn't learned the sweet melodies, poems and lyrics that will forever be etched into our beings. Which Swedish child has not felt the excitement of taking part in a Lucia show on an early dark morning in December with parents coming to watch with proud grins from ear to ear?
Star boys, little Santas and Lucia maids.
Saffron buns and hot milk.
Butterflies in my tummy.
Early morning.
Dark corridors.
Light in my hair.
Mum sits on a small stool and watches me.
When one of the little Lucia maids steps forward to read her poem by heart (gently translated above), I'm painfully reminded about my roots, things I have sacrificed and left behind when I once moved abroad. My children who never attended a Lucia parade and who never will experience the same magic of this day as I do... and me wishing I had given it to them. Asking myself why I didn't work harder on keeping these traditions alive... So I shed a tear while listening to the stunning Stockholm Music Gymnasium Choir and the delicate biblical tunes streaming out of my TV. Dry them away and reminding myself that no matter how far away I move from my country or how many years that passes by without my traditions, they will forever remain fresh as a rose bud in my heart. Forever. And sacrifice or not, my children have other traditions that will forever be anchored in them. And so life goes on. No need for regrets.
Note: Photos from my home are my own, the Lucia ceremony pictures are screenshots from the Lucia show available on SVT Play. The show can be watch worldwide from today until 12th of January 2018.
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
First of all from the prior post, your table runner turned out beautiful! I love it. And your decorations are beautiful. And who doesn't love Elvis! I think it's great that you have instilled traditions into your children's lives, whether they are the same as your Swedish roots or not. I LOVE traditions. And really, it's never too late to start new ones, or add to the old ones. Why not start with your Swedish traditions now?
ReplyDeleteCindy
Hi Cindy
DeleteYou are right. Traditions can be added and removed at any time. We have created our own traditions, a mix of our American and Swedish heritage. I guess the sadness I experience is the sadness of not being able to give it all... However, I don't have regrets. As an expat I guess you become more aware of all sorts of traditions, those you never really thought of before. Took for granted but which need more of an effort to come alive when living abroad in a different country and culture.
Thank you for your message here today. Lets put some Elvis on and rock this day, shall we? Happy holidays.
Xx
Ah pains my heart, to realise that my memories are not my sons' memories...but they have their own, again! And they will hold those dear.
ReplyDeleteHi Stel
DeleteI couldn't have said it better myself... You are so spot on. Reflecting upon that, I don't think it would have made much difference if I hadn't moved abroad, married a man of a different nationality... My memories will forever be mine, my children's memories will forever be theirs. And so there it is. Happy holidays, may the stars shine bright over you and your family.
Xxx
What a lovely tradition, and I'm sure your children will pick it up a little from you; there may be a time when they love it as you do, simply because it belongs to you. How deliciously cosy it's looking with you. I especially love that big basket of yarn. I have the angel chimes out here too. They're a tradition from when I was little, now the children love hearing them chime too. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteHi CJ
DeleteOh yes, that basket of yarn... Can you believe I once had a Billy bookshelf packed with those yarns? Those were the days when I had a yarn shop... This is all I got left. Slowly I'm working myself through the basket. It is a great basket to take out at times when needing some color therapy to brighten up my day. I thought the angel chime was a pure Swedish Christmas thing... So happy to hear it has created childhood memories further away than the Swedish border. It is one of my favorites and as a child I was mesmerized by its tingelingeling... Oh, and one Christmas we forgot it and it put a bench on fire... That was scary... Be careful with the comforting candles this season.
Xxx
I second Bee Lady; it's never too late to start new traditions. It's certainly been the case in my family.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 11 or 12 I sang the traditional Lucia song along with my class in Italian to our parents in a show (I am English). I still remember most of the words as it was a very pretty song and I was very taken with it. I quite often hum or sing it to myself many years later. My French teacher taught it to us but she was herself Italian. I don't remember being told any traditions about the song though.
That is such a nice little story you're sharing. Love it. The Lucia songs are so special aren't they... I remember humming them to my children when they were babies as lullabies. They are so soothing and perfect for humming. Happy holidays and thanks for sharing.
DeleteXx
Very very nice
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Reserl from bavaria
Thank you! Happy holidays and Santa Lucia. Thanks for popping in here today.
DeleteXx
I had forgotten about the Lucia and yesterday got into the middle of a traffic jam, wondering what it was for. A horse with a lovely white carriage, with Lucia and 4 other girls in a procession :) This was in Turku (Åbo), Finland. I had never seen the procession live before.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, how beautiful that must have been. I'm so jealous now!!! Sounds like the perfect moment. SO happy you shared that with me. Thank you so much and Happy 100th birthday to Finland. Hope the celebrations was cheerful and full of laughter. Thanks for sharing here with me today. Happy holdays Tuula.
DeleteXx
Thank you Annette! Yes, the 100 year celebrations have continued for the whole year. The best thing on the actual day was the Turku castle getting lit blue and white in the dark and we even had snow for that day!
DeleteMany thanks to you for this beautiful sharing. I have seen it this morning. Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année de Charente-Maritime (France)
ReplyDeleteI think we all have lost some traditions from our youth even if we are still in the country we are born in. New traditions matter too my friend. Thank you for sharing your memories with us Annette.
ReplyDeleteAmiga, ensina para eles o amor e será uma linda e grande herança.;) Beijo.Valéria.
ReplyDelete