From visitor to visited

Other Christmases, not as far away as it seems but that in a short time have changed, I would say almost without noticing.

Many were those who longed for the 23rd December to arrive so they could head to Braga, to be received with kisses, hugs and the anxious smile of a family awaiting. Seeing the Christmas pine tree, decorated in a simple way, where the snow was nothing more than a bit of shredded cotton and at its feet a crib of few pieces but different every year and arranged with much love, for the delight of assembling the tree and the crib, preparing the supper and looking forward to the arrival of the family to wait together to celebrate the rebirth of Christmas within us.

Looking forward to the 24th, the day when parents would finish their shopping, we would sit on the bed with grandma telling the "little story of the blue trousers" to our despair because it lasted hours, to prepare it and leave everything ready, sit on the floor, play and tell stories.

The night of Christmas Eve, when not many but a few of us joined the table for Christmas Eve, the room was full of joy and cross-talk, where there was no lack of French toast, tingles, jerimus, letria, king cake, jam and Jeropiga, now without "formigos", "letria" and "jerimus" but with sweet rice, "broas" and "coscorões", we are not the same, I no longer visit, I wait for those who arrive and come to visit me and still not being many, we are always some who get together and live the magic night together.

There remains the sweet memory of the little shoe on the chimney for the delight of those who arrive, whether for one, two or more days and in the warmth of their arms and heart come to embrace Christmas with us.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas!