Howell is a little nothing. A little wooden frame of half an inch thickness. Not even twenty centimetres high. And then a little fluff of red and white of further textile body nothingness. And antlered with fragile red little tiny nothingness decoration.
Yet. Looks can be deceiving.
Howell‘s place is on the Christmas table. He stands there. Firmly. Friendly.
If you ever had a meal in the presence of Howell, his physical fragility makes you focus even more on his rather spiritual aura: Howell is unassuming. He oozes calm joy. He radiates happy serenity. Howell personifies contentment.
I actually researched the origin of Howell’s name and surprise, it’s Welsh! Apparently, the name derives from the Welsh name “Hywel” meaning “eminent” and was popular since the Middle Ages, in honour of the great 10th century law-giving Welsh king “Hywel Dda”. Hywel Dda was a big shot ruling most of Wales and was eventually recorded as King of the Britons in the Annals of Wales and of Ulster (a chronicle of medieval Ireland). A mover and shaker, it appears!
Hywel Dda was an esteemed fellow and still ranks highly among other medieval Welsh rulers. His name is linked with the codification (read: systematic collection and formalisation of binding rules) of traditional Welsh law, known as the “Laws of Hywel Dda”. The latter part of his name (Dda = Good) refers to the fact that his laws were just and good.
And that’s the intriguing part of Hywel Dda: Historians see compassion rather than punishment, plenty of common sense and apparently recognition of the rights of women. So it seems Hywel Dda was a cool and quite sophisticated guy, well-educated and a little unusual for his time. Note to self: Oh shoot, I am a millennium too late.
Ha! Who would have assumed that quirky little Howell on the Christmas Table carries such a big name. Yet, fragile Christmas Howell seems to know. Humbly and assertively he cheekily glances at you: “Dude, I am just a little tiny Christmas figure, and you are projecting your wants and needs on me. Ain’t gonna happen, wo*man! Sort your stuff out and let me be!”
Wow, Howell is a tiny little piece of confident contentment. He has history on his side. Howell, you totally rock, man.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020. May we be courageous. May we enjoy contentment.