The boys had professional school photos taken in early November, and we received them just in time before I flew to the States for a couple of weeks last month. They turned out great, and I was able to bring a few copies with me to share with family back home.
We spent Christmas Eve at Ciocia Basia’s house with Wujek Krzysiek, Konrad, and his wife Magda. A traditional Wigilia supper was served, featuring all twelve meatless dishes, along with drinks—each symbolizing one of the twelve apostles. As tradition goes, we shared pieces of opłatek (a thin Christmas wafer), exchanging wishes for health, happiness, and peace. Magda read a short passage from the Bible before we broke the opłatek and began the meal.
Ciocia Basia handled all the serving, and no one was allowed to leave the table until all twelve dishes had been brought out. Once we were thoroughly full, we enjoyed homemade sweets, and the boys got to open their Christmas presents. Although everyone else planned to attend the traditional midnight Mass, or pasterka, we decided to head home around 10 p.m., knowing the boys would struggle through the hour-and-a-half-long service.
The boys also received a few lessons in proper napkin folding and table decorations from Ciocia. I expect a perfectly set table next year.
On Christmas Day morning, the boys opened a few more presents at home. There never seems to be a shortage of gifts for kids this time of year. I love the Christmas lights, the food, and spending time with family, but I could easily do without all the presents. According to Grayson, that makes me a Grinch.
Later that day, we headed to Sylwia’s other aunt, Gosia, for Christmas dinner. It was great to catch up with Artur and Dorota and their two kids—we hadn’t seen them since visiting them in Lublin earlier in the spring. The food was excellent, the company even better, and we stayed up past 11:30 p.m., enjoying a relaxed and memorable evening.
We felt truly grateful to be in Poland for the holidays, celebrating Christmas surrounded by family we don’t get to see very often while living in the U.S. The past two Christmases in Poland have left us with wonderful memories, and moments like these are a big part of why we are here. We hope the kids will remember these family gatherings the same way we remember holidays from our own childhoods.
