Keeping traditions alive

While Sinterclaas brings the Xmas presents in the Netherlands on the 6th of December, in Germany St. Niclas fills the nicely cleaned shoes we put in front of our doors.

Although our children know since they are about 10, that no stranger comes through looked doors at night, we still put our shoes out and fill them with little presents.

When our daughters were small, our neighbour watched out for the light in our porch and came over to bring some sweets. She was such a lovely old lady! As we always left biscuits and tea for Santa, our neighbour had to eat and drink them! Next week she would have become 100 years old, but she died some weeks ago. I'm sure, she looked down from heaven last night and is happy, we still remember her on such special days, although she lived in an old peoples home far away for the past 10 years.