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Of Holidays Past: The Most Joyful of Occasions

Posted Feb. 28, 2021, 6:39 p.m. by Lieutenant Revna Edman (Counselor) (Jennifer Ward)

Cuyler and Helka Edman had great cause to celebrate today. Today Cuyler had brought Helka and their twin girls home from the hospital. Though they celebrated in their Nordic heritage and celebrated, similarly, to the ways of their ancestors, Helka had no intention of giving birth at home without the knowledge of doctors. “My ancestors may have faced childbirth as a battle to be won, but they lost too many of their children and mothers to death during childbirth as well. I would be a fool to risk such a thing.” And Cuyler, like all the other men in the village who had become fathers, gave thanks to Odin for modern medicine and wives that were wise.

So that day he brought home the three most important women in his life. He hovered and interfered and generally made Helka smile. The birth of children, no matter how much wanted, could change a couple. Sometimes it made them stronger, live fuller, feel deeper, and love more intensely. Other times, it was not so, and the strain of raising a child came between them. This would not be so with Cuyler and Helka. Helka was a strong, independent woman, but she understood Cuyler needed to show his love in this way. Childbirth, even with all the technology, was a battle, and one he couldn’t fight for her. So now, in their home, in his domain, he would assert himself. It made her laugh, and she loved him for it. And when she snapped at him to stop distracting the babies so she could nurse them, he smiled and sat with her, kissed the top of her head, and let her lean against him and rest while she did so.

That night, the twins wrapped warmly in blankets, Cuyler held Revna and Helka, Runa. Cuyler kept his arm free arm around Helka, supporting her while she walked, even though he knew she didn’t need it. Out to the bonfire where a pair of Adirondack chairs waited for them. The whole village, and family beyond, had gathered to welcome their precious twin girls into the world and into their family

Gothi, the wise woman of the village, smiled as she walked over to them. She wasn’t old, but new to her place among them. She was part of the village, but this would be the first time she led them all alone, without her mentor. She stood between their chairs and turned to look at the gathered village. “Mother of the most ancient times, bless these blissful children, conceived and birthed in love. Grant them thine own strength, thy power and thy eternal magic.”

Then she picked up Revna towards the stars, placed her in a small Moses basket on the ground and then took Runa gently from her mother, lifting the sleeping form to the heavens before placing Runa in her own basket. “Blessed Mother Frigga, bless and protect these tiny ones, who are loved so deeply by us. Give thy warmth and thy love, and be with them always. Hail Frigga! Wise Allfather, bless and protect these tiny ones, who are loved so deeply by us. Give thy wisdom and victory over all, and be with them always. Hail Odin! Strong and hearty Thor, guard these tiny ones, who are loved so deeply by us. Give thy protection and thy strength, and be with them always. Hail Thor!”

She picked them up, handing them to their parents who held them closely to their hearts. Cuyler warped his free arm around Hulka encircling them all in his embrace. Gothi returned with two small mobiles in hand. A tradition of their village, a rune with the symbol for each of their gods hanging from it, each a different color, muted in the dark but lit by the fire. She dangled one over Revna who stared, as any infant at the different dancing colors. One small hand batting futility at the stones, the first for her to touch: Freya, as would be her namesake. The second mobile held above Runa who without hesitation reached and grabbed for the shiny stones: Siff. Gothi smiled a warm loved filled smile at them both and placed a hand on each of their foreheads.

“Tonight we welcome the next generation of our village. Even though mankind has reached beyond the stars, has met new species and found the worlds our ancestors had no inclination of ever reaching, we are still here, and we still believe, give credit to, the old ways.” There were chuckles and laughter, smiles and knowing winks all around. “Tonight we welcome Revna Freya Edman and Runa Siff Edman to our family, we will protect them, teach them, watch them grow, but more importantly love them.”

The festivities were not long. Hulka was exhausted, and though only 3 days old the small new born girls slept in deep short bursts waking even through the night. But Shauwn, a little boy, with dark brown hair, barely four years old, was fascinated by the babies, and seemed drawn to little Revna and sat beside her, unmoving, until his mother made him go to bed.
Revna and Runa Edman


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