For as long as I can remember, Honigkuchen (German for Honey Cake) has been a Christmas tradition in our family.
In the weeks before Christmas, whenever visitors arrived, my Grandma (my Dad’s Mom) would bring her big gallon glass jar of Honigkuchen up from her basement cold room.
After my Grandma passed, my Mom took over making the treat, because it was a special thing from my Dad’s entire life and one of his favourites.
My Mom and Dad moved into an assisted living facility at the beginning of March this year, so my Mom no longer bakes.
Their facility is on lockdown for Covid19 precautions, so I decided to take up the tradition. After it has cured in the glass containers for the necessary 2 weeks, I’ll deliver some Honigkuchen for my Dad to enjoy during the Christmas season, as he has done every year for 89 years.
This Christmas will be my parent’s first Christmas ever without family around them.
Covid19 may separate us physically, but it will never destroy the love and traditions that tie us together.
“Traditions are the memories of those before us, breathed to life when we carry them on.”
~ Kennedy Ryan
Radically Retired 
What a wonderful tradition, and how sweet of you to carry it on! While my mom’s side was from Austria, I have never heard of honey cake. My mom is 98 and is in assisted living, too. We can’t visit right now either – it is hard. But we can still think of ways to make them feel loved – as you did in this beautiful post! Enjoy your day!
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Thanks for your reply, Betty 💕It is very hard not to be able to visit our loved ones – especially at this time of year. I hope your Mom stays safe and well. My Mom’s side had Austrian roots. My Dad’s side was Swiss German. I’m thankful that even if we can’t visit, we can deliver goodies so they can still have a wee bit of their traditions. Today, I’m tackling Apple Strudel from my Mom’s family traditions. My grandma (her Mom) gave me a lesson in how to make it about 35 years ago. This will be my first try solo. I hope you have a good day too!
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