[SCA-AE] Some thought for the Holidays

[bostonhahn]

I had a very busy week  However there are some things on my mind that I would like to express and share I have to tell a story:
 
It was December 19 1952 about 6:30 in the morning when a little baby girl was born. Her 2 brothers were getting ready to catch the train that would take them to school. The train whistle was blowing, the sign to send them off.  The birth had taken place at home because the mother did not want to be in the hospital for her son Joachim's birthday on December 19. 
As the boys, Guenther and Joachim were getting ready to leave their father approached them and asked them how they would feel about a baby sister. Guenther was all happy, however Joachim seemed a bit too quiet. When pushed on the issue he said he would love a Baby sister but she should wait with her arrival until the next day. This was after all his day and he did not want her yet.  
After he came home from school and was allowed  to see his Mom and the baby he was very upset that this little sister was born on his Birthday.
The custom in the family was that the Birthday cake was a beautifully decorated buttercream Tort. The middle of the tort was decorated with a ring in which the age of the Birthday child was depicted. This center of the buttercream tort was only  for the birthday child. Nobody else was allowed to touch it! 
Joachim finally admitted to  his mother that the reason he so not wanted the little sister to be born on HIS birthday because that would mean they would have to share the birthday cake center and that just was not fair!
Today this little story may seem silly, but to a child that had lived through the shortages of WWII the center of a buttercream Tort was very important!
Joachim's mother promised him that there would always be 2 Buttercream torts one for him and one for his sister.
As long as I can remember it never was  an issue however, because of the age difference Joachim was off to boarding school, then University, then to his own life and we did  not spend the 19th of December together also there always was a cake just for him!
I lost my brother Joachim to ALS, also known as Lou Gerricks decease, many years ago. But it is this time of year I miss him most.
 
Another person that is on my mind a lot, especially now is Mistress Ranveigr.  She too was born  December 19, 1952   In my heart and mind I will celebrate her day tomorrow with her!  This day will not be easy for her family, Viscount Alexander and their children, I am sure! Please hug your loved ones while you can.
 
I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful Holiday season.
 
Elisabeth