Summary:\u00a0 Memories and traditions bring comfort and joy during Hanukkah and Christmas.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words 2,414
\nWritten for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar<\/p>\n
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Bonanza<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n A Toast to Tradition – Part 2<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n December 22…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The work was finished. They had cleaned the house from stem to stern. Polished floors. Waxed tables. Filled the tinder box and stacked wood. The larder overflowed, as did the smokehouse. Cookies filled dozens of tins, and crocks full of pickles, sauerkraut, and red cabbage lined the steps down to the cellar.<\/p>\n When it was time to decorate the tree, Ben produced a purple velvet reticule that belonged to Marie to hold the Epiphany candy. He safely hid it in the branches near the crown under the angel. Fresh pine boughs with holly draped the mantel and wound around the banisters.<\/p>\n Joe hid his condition, of course, because he was fine, just fine, thank you very much, but three days after he arrived home soaking wet and stuck to the wagon seat telltale fever spots bloomed on his cheeks and in a gravelly voice he announced he was going to bed and sleeping until spring.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing stay home. Take care of number 3 son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense,\u201d said Ben. \u201cJoe will be fine. Our guests will be here shortly and you know how the women like to fuss. You go on to Dayton and enjoy your time with your cousins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long they stay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUntil Hanukkah is over. This year that\u2019s December 26.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI come Christmas Day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. We\u2019ll see you then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBye. Take it easy on the roads,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Jamie chimed in. \u201cBye.\u201d<\/p>\n No sooner had Hop Sing\u2019s horse rounded the barn than a wagon rolled in. Ben and Hoss exchanged glances when the only occupants were Ethan Levy and Rachel Cohen.<\/p>\n While Hoss unloaded the wagon and Jamie took care of the horses, Ben ushered Ethan and Rachel into the house and offered them something to drink.<\/p>\n \u201cCoffee would be welcome, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Ethan. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot colder up here than in Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Rachel. \u201cI\u2019d welcome putting my hands over a hot stove right about now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll show you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Tut, tut. I know where everything is. I\u2019m well acquainted with Hop Sing\u2019s orderly kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben watched the young woman walk away. \u201cMy, my, what a lovely young woman Rachel has become.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, she has,\u201d said Ethan. \u201cShe\u2019s my wife now. We married this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMarried! Why that\u2019s wonderful, Ethan. But where are your parents, Elan and Sadie? And Rachel\u2019s? We were looking forward to seeing them this Hanukkah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy parents send their regards but they’ve returned to San Francisco to live. They missed their synagogue and felt more comfortable in the Russian community there than here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLearning a new language and customs can be difficult at any age, but young people often assimilate faster than their parents. What about Eleazar and Shoshone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRachel\u2019s mother died in October. Typhus. Her father, well … stubborn man that he is…wouldn\u2019t stay with us. He’s living now with a sister in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCoffee at last,\u201d Rachel said. \u201cWhere should I put the tray?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight here on the table is fine,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n Rachel said, \u201cI noticed a chicken simmering on the stove. Is that for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, Hop Sing was making broth for Joe. He must have forgotten about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was wondering where Joe was. Is he sick then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing too serious. Bad cold. He\u2019s sleeping right now. I doubt he\u2019ll be down for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be up and around as soon as he tastes Rachel\u2019s matzo ball soup,\u201d said Ethan. \u201cBest medicine in the world!\u201d<\/p>\n Just then the front door closed and Hoss and Jamie walked in. \u201cWould chicken and dumplings be all right with you all for supper?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHot diggity! That\u2019d be mighty fine, Miss Rachel,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cYum!\u201d said Jamie. \u201cThough you\u2019ll have to go some to beat Hop Sing\u2019s dumplings.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel laughed. \u201cIt sounds like a challenge!\u00a0 I guess I have my marching orders then. Matzo ball soup for Joe and chicken and dumplings for everyone else,\u201d she said and headed back to the kitchen.<\/p>\n Ethan lowered his voice and spoke. \u201cI want to thank you, Mr. Cartwright. This is the happiest I\u2019ve seen Rachel since Shoshone, may her soul rest in peace, passed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Cohen died?\u201d Hoss was genuinely taken aback.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year for Jews. It\u2019s actually a blessing. To die before Yom Kippur… before a Jew has atoned for his or her sins would be terrible, but to die on Yom Kippur after you\u2019ve atoned is to be sealed in the book of life forever.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n A few days later…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRachel, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the kitchen, Ethan. Checking on the brisket.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe sun has set. It is time to light the menorah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are pleased to share this Hanukkah with you once again,\u201d Ethan said. \u201cI’ll remind you this holiday is not a religious one. It celebrates a military victory over a despot who defiled our Temple and attempted to force us to worship pagan gods. Ultimately, we won. We cleansed and rededicated the Temple and the consecrated lamp oil which was only enough for one day, burned for eight days and that\u2019s why some call it the miracle of the lights.\u00a0\u00a0On the first night of Hanukkah, we say three prayers. I will say the prayer in Hebrew first and Rachel will translate.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel lit the shamash, the helper candle, first and then lit the first candle to the far right of the menorah.<\/p>\n \u201cBaruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah,<\/em>\u201d\u00a0<\/i>said Ethan.<\/i><\/p>\n Rachel translated. \u201cBlessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights.\u201d<\/p>\n Ethan then recited the second prayer.\u201c<\/i>Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha\u2019olam, she-asah nisim la\u2019avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPraised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season,\u201d said Rachel.<\/p>\n \u201cBaruch atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha\u2019olam, shehecheyanu, v\u2019kiyimanu, v\u2019higiyanu la\u2019zman hazeh.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPraised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Christmas Day…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n On Christmas Day, Hop Sing returned to the Ponderosa, happy to be back with the Cartwrights, pleased that Mrs. Levy had kept his kitchen as pristine as ever, and especially satisfied to see Joe was healthy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m telling you Hop Sing, that matzo ball soup is a miracle drug! You must get the recipe from Rachel.\u201d<\/p>\n On the last night of Hanukkah, after dinner was over Rachel showed Hop Sing how to make matzo and the miracle soup.<\/p>\n Ethan, Hoss, Joe, and Jamie were in the barn ostensibly packing the Levy\u2019s wagon for their return to Carson City in the morning, but in actuality drinking mulled wine and watching for shooting stars.<\/p>\n \u201cRachel?\u201d called Ben from the great room where he was reading. \u201cAre you ready to head outside for the Ursid meteor shower?\u201d When she didn\u2019t answer, Ben put down the paper and went into the kitchen. \u201cRachel?\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel wiped her\u00a0eyes with the edge of her apron and kept stirring the soup. \u201cAlmost ready, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she said, stifling a sob.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a good Hanukkah. You\u2019ve all been wonderful, but I miss Ima…my mama… so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben gently took the ladle from her hand and laid it on the spoon rest. \u201cCome with me,\u201d he spoke softly and, placing his hands on her shoulders, guided her into the great room. \u201cJoseph\u2019s mother, Marie, died when he was not quite five. For many years after she passed, Christmases were never quite as joyous for me as they had been. I tried, of course, for my sons\u2019 sake and I thought I was successful in hiding my sorrow, but one year Joe took me to task for disregarding the efforts everyone put in to decorating the house to make it look festive, especially the tree with its candles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe shared a memory of our last Christmas together. I was holding him up to the window pointing out all the stars in the sky and Marie said, \u2018Ben when you look at the stars like that, I can close my eyes and still see the stars shining as though I was seeing them through your eyes.\u2019\u00a0<\/i>Joe remembered that I grabbed her and kissed her so hard that her hair fell down her back and he started crying.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel smiled. \u201cFor being too rough? I remember my Abba..papa…doing the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben chuckled softly. \u201cThen Joe said,\u00a0\u2018Look real good at the tree, Pa, and she\u2019ll see it.\u2019\u201d<\/i> Ben pointed his chin towards the plank table in front of the fire where the nine candles of the menorah blazed brightly, a symbol of rededication and celebration of faith in the face of adversity. \u201cSo look real good at the menorah, Rachel, and your mother will see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel leaned back against Ben\u2019s chest. As he wrapped his arms around her, she whispered, \u201cI\u2019m with child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Ethan know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet. I want to savor the feeling for a bit,\u201d she sighed. \u201cI\u2019m going to be a mother. Oh, how I wish my Ima was here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is, Rachel. She is.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Epiphany Eve…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat bag of candy\u2019s looking mighty thin, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe put his glass of milk down on table and walked over to the tree. Standing on tip toe, he parted the branches and reached in to pull out the purple velvet bag. Hoss was right; it was as limp as an empty bota bag after a Basque festival.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, this is the tenth time I\u2019ve filled this bag in as many days. Is it you, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Why do you think it\u2019s me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, gee, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe said, slapping Hoss\u2019s stomach with the back of his hand. \u201cCould it be your sweet tooth?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s other people in this house, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see anyone else whose clothes don\u2019t fit!\u201d Joe pointed to Hoss\u2019s shirt which was stretched tight across his belly. Just then two buttons popped off and Joe started to cackle.<\/p>\n Indignant, Hoss stomped off to the kitchen yelling for Hop Sing.<\/p>\n Ben appeared at the top of the stairs and asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey Pa. Have you been into the Epiphany candy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell ever since the Levys went home, someone\u2019s been stealing candy. There\u2019s only a few pieces left in the bag and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s enough for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s raid the pantry and see what else we can find that might do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t! Hoss just went in the kitchen looking for Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe found him. Hop Sing chased Hoss up the back stairs cursing a blue streak. Something about no respect for his elders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh boy,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI guess it\u2019s burnt toast and runny eggs tomorrow for breakfast if Hoss can\u2019t calm him down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s be quick and stay out of Hop Sing\u2019s way.\u201d<\/p>\n Together, Ben and Joe rummaged and finally found a box of fudge from the Candy Shoppe in Virginia City hidden behind the castor oil.<\/p>\n \u201cTell you what, why don\u2019t you put the bag back in the tree where you found it and I\u2019ll hide this box on the back side of the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re devious, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had lots of practice, son.\u201d<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n Joe was right. Hop Sing was in a foul mood the following morning, constantly mumbling under his breath, rattling pots and pans, and tossing dishes of food on the table. The eggs weren\u2019t runny but they were cold, the bacon burnt, and the toast hard as a rock.<\/p>\n The four Cartwrights kept their heads bowed and shoveled the food in their mouths as quickly as they could.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get going, boys,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get these decorations put away before tomorrow. Jamie, did you get the boxes down from the attic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure did, Pa. They\u2019re behind the stairs and the newspaper to wrap the ornaments in is by your desk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Remember we do the tree last.\u201d<\/p>\n All morning they worked quietly and efficiently, ignoring the grumblings from the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cI could really use some coffee,\u201d Joe said. \u201cHoss, how about you fetch the pot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot on your life, shortshanks. Let Jamie do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t even drink coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is ridiculous,\u201d Ben said. Hop Sing! Could we have some coffee in here please?\u201d<\/p>\n When there was no answer, Ben marched into the kitchen. Silence.<\/p>\n Joe, Hoss, and Jamie looked at each other and shrugged.<\/p>\n And waited.<\/p>\n And waited.<\/p>\n Ben eventually emerged carrying a tray with the coffee pot, cups and a glass of milk and set it on the table in front of the fire. He poured himself a cup, sat down in his chair, and sipped.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d asked the boys in unison.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I discovered our candy thief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing?\u201d Joe squeaked. “What gave you a clue?”<\/p>\n \u201cIf the truth be told,” smiled Ben, “he has a toothache.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean if the tooth be told, don\u2019t you, Pa?\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSaddle up. We\u2019re all going into town. While Hop Sing is getting his tooth pulled, we\u2019ll go to the Cattlemen\u2019s Club for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHot diggity!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut first,\u201d Ben said, \u201cI see there is one item left on the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd,\u201d Hoss said, \u201caccording to Cartwright family tradition going back hundreds of years, it\u2019s the youngest Cartwright who removes it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood up and turned. \u201cJamie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the youngest Cartwright, son,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n It took a minute for his pa’s words to sink in before Jamie was grinning from ear to ear and through the rest of the day and night. The following day the Cartwright family–and Hop Sing–shared the fudge and wished each other a sweet year.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n Author\u2019s Note:<\/p>\n This story was written in memory of MicheleBE1115, may her soul rest in peace, and mentions her original characters from her 2017 Advent Story The Chanukah Story<\/a>.<\/p>\n The memory of his wife that Ben shares is dialog from the Christmas on the Ponderosa<\/em>\u00a0album.<\/p>\n The Ursid Meteor shower peaked December 21 and 22 (2022) in the northern hemisphere.<\/p>\n Primary Character:\u00a0\u00a0Ben <\/p>\n Link to the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 23 – The Icicle of Doom<\/a> by faust<\/p>\n
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/span><\/strong>
\n* Day 22 *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSecondary Character:\u00a0\u00a0None
\nObject:\u00a0\u00a0Box of Candy<\/p>\n