I know this will only interest me, but I’ll indulge in a little nostalgia. Today is Saint Lucy’s day, a Swedish holiday. The eldest daughter of each household wears a white gown and a crown of lit candles, symbolizing Saint Lucy. She brings in the light, hopeful time of the holidays after the dreary, dark month of November. Songs are sung, special saffron buns and glögg are served.

When I was in Lund, we celebrated this at the town’s medieval stone cathedral after nightfall. We sat in the pitch dark until Lucy and her following entered, singing and illuminating the place with their crowns of candles.

It’s days like these I wish I worked for Ericsson or Ikea. I dag saknar jag Sverige.