Have A Very Merry Stuhr Wurz Crimmus, Gaiz 2011

"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."
-excerpt from The Gift of the Magi by O Henry

I was so very weary when I first disembarked Sasika's ship that even Wielder's arms around me, as comforting as they have ever been, barely held up the weight of my heavy heart. True, I was glad to visit my family...one of the only things that keeps me going during my exile as I look over young Luke from far across the dunes on that blinding hell known as Tatooine. Though I carry my duty with as much strength as I can, when I am not with Wielder and my son, all I can think of are those who are no longer with me...friends, mentors, those who bled beside me AND for me. I was so very glad for a break from my own private thoughts.

"It's Life Day, you know. Chewie even brought the children a tree to decorate," she whispers into my ear. "You should be a bit happier. The holiday will give you an excuse to rest." I can feel her smile pulling against the longer hair of my ear, and it causes me to grin in spite of myself.

"That was kind of him...those who survived the siege on the Temple certainly need things to look forward to and to believe in. Children should never be void of hope," I acknowledge, trying to hide my own darker feelings. After all, she asked me for a little happiness, and it's a simple gift to give her.

But she senses it and takes my hand. "I think our son has something that might cheer you up, Obi-Wan." There it is...a flash of it...that cocky and all-knowing grin she's been capable of all her life no matter what the circumstance may be. "Janus has a gift for you. He's been very excited about it for a while now."

Yet again, I'm weary, and she drags me along without apology or mercy. "Wielder...though I appreciate our son's generosity, I should be giving him something. Life Day is for children not..."

"Dad!" My words are cut off by that tiny voice my heart beats for. I lift him up before I even get a good look at him. Heavier than before. Slowly growing into his ears...but not his feet yet. That much I can blame on his mother's bloodlines.

Janus offers me a quick hug and then begins to wriggle and kick out of my grasp...not like him at all...is he already growing independent? The father I have become hopes and prays not. Thankfully for my heart that is far more tender than it used to be, he offers an explanation quickly. "C'mon, Dad, quick! I've got something for you! For Life Day!"

I can't help but smile broadly at Wielder as I give up all control over the situation, and, shaking my head, I follow as he races clumsily, bounding to and fro, up a hill.

Once we stop, he flops down in the grass and holds up a sizable cage. Inside, a Memory Moth stares back at me, infinite wisdom glowing in its blue-black eyes. "I found it when it was a cocoon," he hurriedly jabbers at me in the manner of a proud child. "He was blown out of a tree, so I took him and sort of raised him. I've had to be quiet around him though. Mom told me that they'll always whisper whatever name you say to them so that...so that people you love will never be forgotten. Even when we become one with the Force. The moth will always remember the name we whisper to it."

Such a sad notion for a child to already understand. I admire the effort my son showed in raising such a rare creature, but I am admittedly puzzled. Trying not to seem unappreciative of his thoughtful gift, I inquire about his intentions in giving me such a strange pet. "Little Janus, I appreciate this gift more than I can express...but I don't know if I can keep him. Tatooine is a sad place for such a beautiful creature..."

He shakes his head stubbornly, obviously frustrated that I have missed something. "No, Dad, I wanted you to be the one to tell him a name. Mom says there are so many people you miss, and that you'd be the best one to give him an important name to remember." Now both of my son's ears fall forward...as floppy as mine. "I thought it would make you feel better."

Master Yoda was right. A child's mind is truly wonderful. My son has given me a gift no amount of credits could ever buy. Kneeling before him, I hold his face in my hands and gently nuzzle it. All of a sudden, I'm no longer weary, and I'm no longer spiritually listless.

"Thank you so much, son. It's the most wonderful thing anyone has ever given me other than the very gift of you." I look to Wielder for a second, winking at her before returning my gaze to eyes just as blue as mine. "I think you've inspired me with the idea of what to say to our winged friend here. Now, do you wish to say it...if so, I'll whisper it to you..."

"No, it's your Life Day present, Dad," the practically beaming little pup tells me, his tail wagging at an almost insane pace behind him. "You tell him."

"Alright then. I'll tell him what to say...forever and for all eternity...and you let him go, deal?"

"Deal."

Carefully, for though years cannot kill a Memory Moth, careless hands can, I take the ethereal creature out of its cage. Red and green streamers decorate the twisted tails of its secondary wings...tied loosely so that they will fall off in the future. I lift the insect close to my face, and I whisper a single word, watching as the timbre of my voice vibrates through the silvery antennae. Smiling, I hand the moth to Wielder for a moment as I playfully lift my son atop my shoulders and gesture for Wielder to hand our son's gift back to him.

With tiny paws, Janus coaxes the moth to take free flight for the first time, shining streamers and trails of iridescent dust from its heavenly wings falling down from each flap it takes as it rises into the air.

"Whose name did you whisper to it, Dad?" he squeaks downwards at me,

"No name, son. Just a word. But a powerful one that you made me think of."

The moth circles around us, and all of our ears twitch and swivel to catch its immortal voice as it utters its single word for the first time.

"Hope."


First off, old picture is old. Keep that in mind...

ZOMG SO LET'S TOTALLY GO WATCH THE STAR WARS CRIMMUS SPECIAL SO THAT WE CAN SEE MARK HAMILL'S HORRID MAKEUP JOB AND MAKE FUN OF THE FACT THAT CHEWBACCA HAS A SON NAMED LUMPY AND A GRANDDADDY NAMED ITCHY.

*blinks* Seriously, Lucas, why? WRRRRRYYYYYYYYY?!

For those of you who are not dorks, Life Day is Stuhr Warz Christmas. It's a primarily Wookiee tradition that involves the giving of gifts and remembering loved ones and all that happy stuff. You know...just like most holiday celebrations during this time of year.

Anyway, here's my Christmas picture to all of you this year. Thanks for everything, guys. I hope you have a fun and safe holiday!

BTW, thanks to Luthien Nightwolf over on FurAffinity for designing the memory moths! She did such an awesome job!

Done with derwent coloursoft pencils, micron inks, and gel pen on regular sketchbook paper. Details added in photoshop.