Episode 33: Jolabokaflod

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, you and your Mom are on the tram heading back to your house from the train station in town. She has just arrived to spend the holiday with you. The tram is decorated inside with intricate paper cut snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, swaying gently as the tram makes its way uphill from the river. The tram driver is wearing a stovepipe hat and a fake carrot nose. You sit back in your seat, your Mom gently resting her hand on yours, and you take a deep breath.

The two of you climb the stairs to your porch, and she says, “You know, it’s not so bad out here. What if we sit down for a moment and enjoy the fresh air?”

You say, “Yes, I was just thinking the same thing.” You place her suitcase and her backpack just inside your front door, and you join her on the couch, where she has propped up her feet on the coffee table. Your Mom sighs contentedly, and then looks over at you as she says, “What time are we expected for dinner?”

You tell her, “Anytime after 4.”

She looks at her watch and replies, “So you’re telling me there’s time for a nap.”

You nod, a smile tracing your lips, and you say, “There is definitely time for a nap.” You start to get up from the couch, but your Mom simply closes her eyes right where she is, patting your leg as she does. Your own heartbeat quiets to a whisper. On the edge of your awareness, you hear the neighborhood crows chatting with each other. You smell peanut butter chocolate chip cookies on the east wind. You curl up against your Mom’s side, feeling the soft fleece of her jacket, as you relax into a deeper sleep, taking a slow breath.

As afternoon yields to night, you and your Mom cross the street to Grace’s house, where you have been invited for dinner. Matthew and baby Claire meet you at the door, and Claire jumps into your arms, squealing with delight to see you again. Emily, Chris, and Grace all welcome you warmly, and Grace says, “We’re so glad to have you joining us.”

You peer around their house and say, “Is anyone else here?”

Grace smiles and says, “Just you two. This is a small family gathering.”

After a casual dinner and dessert, Matthew leads all of you into the family room, where there are piles of books stacked on the coffee table. The fireplace glows with warming light. Matthew clears his throat and says, “Every year on Christmas Eve, we celebrate the Yule Book Flood, a tradition we learned about many years ago, when we were lucky enough to visit Iceland.”

Grace continues, “Each of us gives one book to everyone else here. So you end up with a pile of books that have all been chosen for you. The way we do it, no one buys a new book - we get them from the Holiday Swap, or the used shop at the library, or our own collections.”

Emily says, “We’ve been doing this since I was in high school, and I love it so much. Will you come sit? We’d like to share some books with you.”

You and your Mom glance at each other, and you say, “Yes, of course. But we wish we’d known, so we could bring some books for all of you.”

Matthew’s eyes twinkle as he replies, “I thought you might say that. Come into my study. Do you remember how we saw each other at the Holiday Swap? I was picking up a couple of their Mystery Boxes for just this moment.”

The two of you follow Matthew into a small and cozy room overlooking the backyard. There, he shows you three unopened boxes of books from the Holiday Swap. As he steps out of the room, he says, “None of us have looked in there, so whatever you choose will be a surprise.”

Your Mom looks over at you, with glittering eyes, and she says in a whisper, “Oh, I am so very glad you ended up in this place.”

You open the boxes, looking through their contents, and you start to see some obvious choices. You find a book about movies for Chris, and a modern history of Canada for Matthew. Your Mom pulls out a couple of board books for baby Claire, and a book of poetry for Grace. Without rushing, in only a few minutes, the two of you each end up with a complete set of books to give everyone else.

The armchairs by the fire are waiting for you and your Mom when you return. Each person takes a turn handing out books to the others, and soon your pile of books to give has turned into a dazzling set of books that have been chosen for you. You let them pile up in a jumble in your lap, enjoying the weight of them, and you take a sip of the sparkling apple cider that Grace has served you in a fluted glass. Without fully realizing what you’re doing, you hold up your glass to the room.

Your Mom says, “Would you like to make a toast, darling?”

You say, “Yes. To the joy of the holidays, and to the many ways we show our love for each other. May we feel held, safe, and free, today and every day.”

The group says, “Hear, hear.”

You take another sip of the cider, the bubbles dancing on your tongue, and you draw in a peaceful breath.

Baby Claire sits on the floor in the center of the room, gnawing on her board books, while the rest of you sprawl out in your seats, reading in a comfortable shared silence. The fire makes everyone’s cheeks rosy, and you start to doze off again, with visions of sugar plum fairies dancing in your head.