Happy Belated Nowruz

I've had Nowruz on the brain today -- I'm cleaning out a number of things around my house and I came across a box

and inside the box are 2 eggs that were blown out and (at that time) my exchange student and her Iranian/Swedish friend decorated for me

we had been on a road trip
and on the day we got back -- Miss S (our guest) started to receive many emails and calls -- family wishing her a Happy Nowruz

She had forgotten that it was Persian New Year -- it snuck up on her
and

we decided to celebrate it
as best we could

right then

We got online
and she explained how her family celebrated
and

we made our Nowruz table

with fresh fruit
and some baklava we got from a Middleeastern market we found
and a bible (she said any Holy book would do)
and a mirror
and some candles
and the decorated eggs

and we put our heads together
because she said that it was important that we jump over a fire -- at the first moment of the new year

and

I didn't know how to make that happen at 3am in my little apartment (somehow we wanted it to be at the same time her family might be doing it)

and ultimately
I found a cookie tin with a Santa on it from Christmas
and a bunch of votive candles
and went out in the night

teens in tow

to jump over the candles -- leaving last year in our wake

it was a happy day
and it made our friend so happy to make her own Nowruz
to be the teacher
to share her traditions with us
as best we all could

I have been so blessed these past years
and
I never want to forget these wonderful moments
and can't wait to see what memories I build in the new year

Happy Nowruz to you all.