January 6
Happy Wise Men's day!
Yeah I know it's not much of a holiday in America, but it's a big deal in most Latin American countries and Puerto Rico.
Mel told me that when he was a little kid his parents, who were from Puerto Rico, would have him put straw in a box and put it under his bed the night before.
The story was that during the night the wise men would come and their camels would eat the straw. The Wise men would leave you gifts as thanks for feeding the camels! 
I thought this was neater than Santa Claus! 
Not because I didn't like the jolly old elf.
But just think about it, if we celebrate on the sixth of January we would make out like bandits from all the markdowns the stores offered after Christmas! 
Oh, did I write that out loud?
My brother-in-law Jose Enrique shared a real neat story about this holiday. He told me that a long time ago (no it's not a fable, it's for real!) when he was a young man, he had gone to the countryside in Puerto Rico to visit some friends and relatives. When he got to the small town he was invited to a party at the home of this sweet little eighty–eight years old lady.
He was amazed by what he saw that night! First of all, just about everyone in the town was at her house!
It was the tradition to pray the rosary in honor of the pilgrimage the three wise men made to Bethlehem so many years ago.
After the rosary was prayed, the guests were treated to a huge buffet with tons of yummy foods and desserts.
He said there was singing of traditional songs, dancing and that everyone had a blast!
Later on he asked the old lady why she celebrated this day in such a big way.
She said that her husband had started the tradition over 60 years ago when they first got married.
Now that he had passed away she continued the tradition in his honor.
She told my brother-in law that in her long life she had been blessed with a wonderful husband, good health and great children. She always had all the things she needed and a few of the things she wanted. She felt it was blessings they had received because of their faith in the birth of Jesus Christ and the wise men that honored him at his birth.
Jose Enrique was so moved by her genuine faith that he decided to follow the same custom when he got married and had a home of his own.
He mentioned this to the old lady the next day before he left to go home.
"I know it sounds silly, "She said, "but I had been hoping others would want to continue our tradition," she told him through tear brimmed eyes, "Now I have found you!" She gave him a big kiss and a hug!
He has continued that tradition for the last thirty-five plus years.
In those years, he told me, he too had been blessed with wonderful children, a great wife and a huge extended family that loves him.
He has felt the love and respect of countless nieces, nephews and all of their friends and his children's friends.
The Lord had blessed him with a beautiful home, health and the opportunity to enjoy four wonderful grandchildren.
He too, firmly believed it was all due to his faith in the Savior and honoring that gentle woman's tradition.
"You want to hear something really weird?" he asked me, "That lady passed away later that year! It was as if she was just waiting to pass the tradition on to someone!" Jose Enrique's eyes watered up, still moved by the memory of that wonderful woman.
It's funny; nowadays some people think stories and traditions have no place in our modern world. We try to be so P.C. (politically correct) that we suck the joy out of a lot of everyday things. 
It's such a shame!
The ones truly missing out are the ones that don't believe that faith in something bigger than our selves!
Belief in a supreme being, whatever that being is or whatever faith we choose to follow, can enrich our lives; it can fulfill us and help us overcome life's challenges!
I am glad that even though I am not Catholic, I am open minded enough to respect and cherish others' religious beliefs.
We can be so enriched by each others' experiences!
I truly enjoy this night with my-in-laws and look forward to it each year!
I also know that as a result of their example their great kids will choose to continue the tradition. Not just the tradition of prayer and rosaries, but the tradition of love of family and faith in things bigger than ourselves.
What a wonderful legacy it is for this simple man! Even though Jose Enrique had fallen in life and made many mistakes when younger; he was still willing to continue searching for the light!
You can really feel the sincere love he has for the majority of people he meets!
No wonder my kids love him so much!
It helps that he's also one of the funniest men I have ever met!
He has faith and a good sense of humor, with that combination how can you go wrong?
Anyone got any extra hay lying around that I could have?
