It kept snowing. Of all the fair house friends, T2 loved snowboarding and would go out alone.
Down once.
Each slide required a long climb back to the top.
The other faerie house friends were bustling. Frog was setting up the pfeffernüsse. The weather was perfect for freezing the rolls outside. They would later be cut into small cookies.
Dog was making sure there was enough wood for the fire.
T1 was knitting with great focus. Hedgehog was making cards.
“Seven cards to send this year to our friends in Winnipeg,” said Hedgehog, “I need to get the new friends’ names right: Lighter, Lucky and Turry, I believe.”
Hedgehog paused and looked up.
“You look anxious,” said Hedgehog after studying Rabbit carefully.
“I don’t know what to do,” said Rabbit. “I haven’t been here for Christmas before. Sometimes I have a hard time keeping up.”
“How about you help me put the cards into envelops, and then let’s have a chat,” said Hedgehog.
When the job was done, Rabbit and Hedgehog jumped onto the chair.
“Wait,” said Rabbit, “Did the chair just get bigger?”
“Probably,” said Hedgehog, nonchalantly, “We need the space to sit together.”
“It boggles the mind,” said Rabbit quietly.
“Yes,” said Hedgehog, “the magic here does boggle the mind. Have you noticed that the magic only happens when we are caring for each other? All of us have had to learn about taking care. Now tell me, what is bothering you?”
“I guess I just need to know what is going to happen,” said Rabbit, “I haven’t done Christmas before. I don’t think I have ever given or received a gift. And I have no idea when it is. Everyone seems so busy, except maybe T2; I don’t know if I should be hurrying or what.”
“Ahh, yes,” said Hedgehog, wondering where to start. “We are in advent now. It is my favourite time: lights go on to dispel the darkness, we all bustle a bit, and most important for me, we think about the big hopes we have for ourselves and especially for others.”
Hedgehog stopped to consider the particulars of Rabbit’s question.
“I am not sure about the timing exactly. The Winter Solstice comes first. Then a few days later Dog starts setting things up and then we know it is time. Perhaps we look busy, some of us just flutter a bit. You have one gift to prepare. Is that coming along well for you?”
“Yes,” chuckled Rabbit, “I know exactly what to do for this dear creature.”
“Excellent,” said Hedgehog, “And are you more settled?”
“Yes, thank you,” said Rabbit.
“Let’s go outside and see the lights,” said Hedgehog. “I love the lights."
One by one, the friends joined Hedgehog and Rabbit outside.
“It’s a wonder,” said Frog, looking up.
“Let’s never lose wonder,” said T1.
Speaking quietly and with emotion, Rabbit said, “I don’t think I have ever said how much I love you all!”
Wonder and love.
Always.
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