The festival of St. Martin, or Martimas, has two components for us, one is Charity. Like St. Martin, we gave of ourselves to the less fortunate. For my children, age 2 & 4, we picked a canned good from our pantry and donated it to a local food bank. Mia felt very proud of herself, but I don't think Benji fully understood...the whole car ride to Grammie's after he kept repeating "eat, eat." I tried to assure him that we will have plenty to eat!
~Posing on the stairs with their canned goods!~The Second component is the Light. Martinmas falls almost exactly between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. This is literally the darkest time of the year. To remind us that the light will return, and on a deeper level to help us to reflect on our own internal light, we made a lantern. Mia watercolored paper and I glued it into a lantern. We went for a walk in the woods to find the perfect "lantern" stick.
~To help pass the time before Daddy got home & we could go outside with the lantern, I told Mia & Benji Grimm's Star Money by candlelight. m a g i c.~Finally Daddy came home, we went outside, lit our lantern, talked about Martinmas, and Mia led us on a parade around the house. She took her role very seriously. We sang, "glimmer lantern glimmer..." Next year, Benji will be old enough to carry his own lantern. This year, he was content to be held by Daddy.
~the glow of the lantern~
~Our fearless "lantern girl." ~After our "walk" we came in to a special feast. I had baked a chicken, with mashed pototoes, carrots and brussel sprouts...a soul warming meal for sure.
I really enjoyed the day...I wish that everyone can find the strength of their own inner light and count your blessings. I feel warmed and ready to face the darkness as we work towards the coming of the light.
~Our special dinner table~
