Another year almost gone

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season and was able to spend time with loved ones. I was lucky enough to be able to do that.

I've tried not to watch the news the past week or so. I know that there are wars going on, people trying to destroy airplanes. But I wanted to remember the feelings, the sounds, the smells, the sights that for me make this the most wonderful time of the year.

I don't know that I have a favorite Christmas memory, but I do have a lot of fond ones. In my early twenties I was lucky enough to share Christmas with friends who had young daughters. So every Christmas Eve we would stay up late after the kids were in bed and wrap the presents and put them under the tree. Then in the morning we would watch the kids come down the hall. For me, there's not much better than the look of wonder and amazement on a child's face on Christmas morning. They are still able to believe in magic, and believe in the impossible. I'm not sure when I stopped believing in magic, but watching a child at Christmas, I know that the part of me that used to believe wishes I could believe again, even if only for a moment here and there. Though my friends and I eventually drifted apart, I will always be thankful to them for allowing me to see Christmas and the world thru their daughters' eyes, if only for a moment.

And for the adults out there that have been a part of many Christmases, some other good memories are the squirting slot machine, the Karen doll, midnight runs, penguin slippers, anything to do with the manly man, homemade Christmas cookies, and all the laughter and love that we've shared over the years.

Happy New Year everyone!