St. Nicholas Day

I received thank you's from my children for the gifts 'St. Nicholas' sent this year-the usual entertainment DVD, caramel corn, and ornament. When I was a child I put my shoe in the front hall on the night of Dec. 5 in hopes St.  Nicholas would drop by and fill it with treats. Even in grade school I remember the hallway full of shoes and a treat or two for every student. I read the happy letter of my grandchildren baking cookies and jumping up and down in anticipation as they left their shoes out on the night of the 5th. Tuesday morning there were great cheers for the ornaments of the year (missing tooth, cowgirl for a birthday theme,  T for turkey because of  a special Thanksgiving activity and enthusiasm) and little candies. I have also enclosed Fontanini figures in my St. Nicholas package to build up their nativity scene. This year the 7 year old had a camel for the kings, and there were flying angels for the girls and the two-year old got King Herod to much laughter. What??? Villains are the best characters! My grandchildren are growing up in a very traditional Catholic household. Santa Claus is not part of their December celebrations. I am grateful the Catholic upbringing I had can provide a continued joyful tradition of the original St. Nicholas for these little ones. And so is my daughter. Thank you to my Mom for trekking Catholic so that my daughter and I can bring this to the next generation.