The Feast of the Kings
January 6th is epiphany, the Feast of the Kings, and ever since I can remember we had a ‘kings cake’ (or did someone just call it that??). It’s a bland cake with almond paste in it, which isn’t so special because of the cake, but because of what’s in it. Hidden somewhere in the cake is a tiny little plastic ‘baby’, or fish, and whoever gets it in their piece of cake will have good luck all year!!!! The cake is pretty simple, and the tradition is very sweet, and thoughtful. But the real treat is that good luck baby that everyone wants to find in their cake. It’s more of a European tradition, and my family and I do it every year. It’s actually fun.
The Christmas tree comes down now, and we will now start unraveling Christmas, putting things away in boxes for next year, and savoring the memories of the past few weeks forever. By Epiphany, the kids have left, and I’m always working hard on a new book at this time of year, after the revels of another Christmas. I hope that your holidays are wonderful. You don’t need to find a baby in your cake in order to have good luck and good fortune all year. And that’s just what I wish you!!!
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Hey Danielle.
My name is Jannike, I’m from Norway 🙂 I’m 19 years old.
I’m doing a work at school that icludes reading two books and watch the movies.
I choosed The ring, and Zoya. My grandmother has almost all of your books. she loves them:) And she said that it would be great books for me to read to. So I gave it a try, and yes, I really love reading them to.
Just wanted to say that it is two amazing books! And I love the movies to. You are a really good writer! 🙂
I read about your life story if I can call it that. And its amazing to read, all you’ve been trough. A really strong women 🙂 I hope my english isnt to bad:) Just wanted to say that even in Norway youre books is a hit!:)
Dear Danielle:
I would like to wish you a Happy New Year! I have been a fan of your books for years now and I’ve read most of them. I had never read “His Bright Light” until my 20-year son was diagnosed with “manic-depressive illness” last year. I went to buy a book they recommended at the mental hospital he was in, and I saw your book in the same section. I picked it up and started reading the back cover. For some reason I always thought your son might have died in a car accident. When I saw he suffered from the same illness that my son had just been diagnosed, I bought it and that was the first book I read about the disorder.
Thank you for opening my eyes. I probably would have thought it was not as serious as it is had it not been for your book. Most people downplay the danger of the illness. I even talked to a priest crying and he told me not to be there was no need to be so dramatic, that bipolar disorder was treatable. I remember you compared it to cancer, and I took your words to heart. Yes, it is treatable, but it’s also deadly.
He was diagnosed in April 2009 and I have moved heaven and earth to find the best doctors and the best treatment for him. When he became suicidal, we covered all the basis (hiding pills, etc) to avoid a tragedy. We even cancelled an apartment we were buying at the beach because it was on the 14th floor. I definitely would not have done that had it not been for your book.
I am happy to say that he has been at base-line since the first week in September. He will be returning to college at the end of this month. I am a little anxious because he will be away from home, but just like you had to let Nick go on his tour, I have to let my son fly off the nest once more. I’ve done my part to find the best doctors/therapists for him at the university and after meeting with the entire support team last month, I feel confident that I will be leaving him in good hands.
I have also become involved with a local charity, a club house that is trying to open in our hometown to try to help persons with serious mental illnesses. There is nothing like that in our city. The nearest one is four hours away by car. We have to raise a lot of money to be able to open, but the year has started great because we received three grants totaling $60,000. We are on our way. I have also met many other parents that are facing the same struggles, and I am trying to help them as best I can. I am writing my son’s story, even though I am not a writer, but if I can hand it out to someone that’s starting to deal with the illness and my son’s story can bring them hope, then it will be worth the time is taking me to put it all in writing.
I wish Nick’s story had a different ending, but I hope that you find peace in the knowledge that he has touched many lives, including mine. My son would not be doing as good as he is doing today had I not educated myself as well as I have, and it all began with Nick’s book. He is an angel.
I wish you a joyous year and may all your wishes come true.
Blessings,
Rosa C. Romero
Oh, but if you have ever been to New Orleans or anywhere in South Louisiana and eaten their King’s Cake, you would never say “bland” *smiling* – it’s like a huge sweet roll and the ones with cream cheese filling -oo la la ! Gambinos bakery is good, as is some others …although Katrina messed up some of the old bakeries, alas. I’m not a Louisiana native, but lived there a long time. My hb is a New Orleans native and sometimes will bake a King’s Cake – since we miss them so much! 🙂
Sounds like a lovely tradition and sounds like we need to head to kat’s house (above) for her goodman to fix us one of his. Happy New Year.
x0
Thanks for explaining this lovely tradition. I never before understood its meaning.
Q: so when you bake the cake, the baby doesn’t melt? Dawn