The morning was spent organizing for Cuba and doing some last minute details. At two I arrived back at the apartment and Annika and I made Christmas presents for her and her mother.

Making Wampum: We began making the present by sitting down together and talking about who is important to Annika. For each person she named, we selected a coloured bead in the shape of a heart. She began with herself, her mother, me, her Nanny Melita, her Aunt Agnishka, her Uncle Majiec, her Grandmother - Babounia, her friends, the Kirby girls Mary Ann, Lucy and Katie, her friend Zenia, her friend Mandy, and then on her own she added two beads. I asked her who these beads were. "Oh, this one is for Father God and this one is for Mother God". I was touched by her thinking. I do not know from where it came, but she is certainly touched by some of the great spirits. When we had completed the first necklace, I explained to her that this is her "wampum". This necklace represents what you hold dear, and to whomever you give this to you give to them your deepest possession, your wampum. She seemed to understand at first, but later in the day she seemed more comfortable just referring to it as a necklace. We also created one together for her mother. The total experience was quite wonderful, and I can recommend this to any one that wants to experience the feeling of giving at Christmas. No greater gift have I ever given - no greater gift have I ever received. Wampum.

We then went to Babounia’s for dinner and it was very touching explaining to those that cared to know who was represented on the necklace. I remember the warm feeling on Babounia’s face when I pointed to the orange bead and said - "This one is for Babounia" . It is also interesting as I write this five days later I can almost remember each colour - red for Veronica, Pink for Annika, purple for me, blue for Agnieska, black for Majiec, orange for Babounia, pink for Annikas friends, white for Melita, turquoise for Mary Ann, Ivory for Lucy and Green for Katie.