Craciun Fericit

December 24th,

Somewhere in the forests of Eastern Europe…

Loana was darning their discarded stockings from the previous year in front of the stone fireplace. The wind was twirling around the windows blowing snow up the front steps onto the porch. The one-room cabin was very sturdy, Alexandru had built it when Olympia was born eight years ago. Winters were very harsh in the Carpathian mountains, and sometimes game was scarce. Loana was hoping she would finish the four stockings, fill them and hang them on the mantle before Alexandru and Olympia returned from hunting.

    Baby Lulia was in her crib sleeping soundly. The aroma of cinnamon and clove simmering on the woodstove helped Loana stay in the Christmas spirit. 

    It was late afternoon, the storm was raging and Loana was a bit worried about her husband and son. They had lost their middle child, Bogdan, four years ago during a blizzard like this one. She shook away those thoughts and finished the stockings. Loana filled them with nuts, dried fruit, sugar cookies, and mittens. She then hung them carefully on the mantle to the sides of the fireplace.

    Loana put a kettle on the stove to make tea and cocoa when the hunters arrived home.

    Lulia woke, Loana changed and nursed her. Just as the baby finished her meal the front door opened and in stepped Olympia. He kicked the snow from his boots and walked to his mother giving her a hug and a kiss.

    "Father will be in soon, he is in the shed. I will help him, but he asked that you prepare the spit for two hares. We also got two grouses for Christmas day." Olympia said proudly.

    "You two always amaze me. Tell your father that I will have hot drinks for you both." Loana said smiling and pushing her son out of the door.

    Alexandru and Olympia returned with the hares and Loana put them on the spit and quickly got a tea with brandy for Alexandru and hot cocoa for Olympia. She then put bread in the oven and returned to her stool by the fire with a brandy. She turned the handle on the spit a quarter of a turn, then looked toward the family.

    Alexandru finished his tea and picked up his violin. They bowed their heads in thanks for all they had and in memory of Bogdan. 

    As Alexandru played his violin the family sang "Silent Night":

Noapte tăcută, noapte sfântă,

Totul este calm, totul este luminos…...

    With Olympia holding his baby sister they sang until the bread and the hare were on the table. They again gave thanks and enjoyed their Christmas Eve dinner.

    After dinner, they opened their stockings and retired to the warmth of their cozy beds.

    They woke Christmas morning to coffee, warm bread, and cookies with four packages on the hearth. All of the presents were hand-knitted and crocheted by Loana. They were all very grateful for their warm new clothing. Loana and Alexandru both wished they had had the money to get something special for Olympia, but they had just enough to feed and clothe the family.

    They were eating their cookies and drinking coffee when there was a knock on the door…

    Olympia opened the door and in stepped their neighbor's thirteen-year-old son with a puppy in his arms. He held out his arms handing the Carpathian Shepherd to Olympia.

    "My family says thank you for the grouse and hares you dropped off last night. We have had a very lean winter with Father being sick and you have helped us make it through. Bless you and Craciun Fericit!