Letters to Els Reis (The Three Wisemen) – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar

This was David´s first year fully participating in the Catalan tradition of hand delivering a letter to the Three Wisemen. In preparation, he and his cousins Irina and Mariona got out a box of pencil crayons and paper last night. Irina had a single spaced list handwritten by her mother in about 12 point font that was 1.5 pages long. The prices from the toy catalogues were in a column to the right. She copied those that were of the highest priority for this year onto a single page herself. Her list included a bicycle, a DS, the doll Nancy with a baby in a carriage, the doll of a baby who is sick and needs care, and remote control cars (model number listed).

David brought me his letter. It had one word in caps: LEGO. I suggested he think about other things he might like or even need. For example, it has been two years since we last visited Catalonia and his Tiet Jordi Cusso (Uncle Jordi Cusso who works at a Sock Factory) is David chief supplier of socks. David´s socks are all now too small. He agreed that socks should go on the list. He put the letter on the floor, planted one foot on it, and traced his foot – so the Wisemen would know his foot size. He also added to the list books in Catalan, but specified that he was putting those on the list for me. What HE wants is LEGOs. He added after the word LEGO the specific item he is looking for: Clone Troopers. I also suggested he add a new shirt since his own hoodie is too short in the sleeves. He agreed, with the stipulation that it is for me. LEGO stays at the top.

One of my favorite memories of the delivery will be his rosy cheeks that flushed as he was gathered into the arms of Caspar for a photo moment with two cousins. He passed by Melchior, not knowing the tradition is to see all three and was scooped up and had his face rubbed in a loving gesture. Melchior did not let him miss another handful of candy. He was then in his stride and approached Balthazar fearless and with his hands open for receiving.