You know how the Christmas story went, “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.” Well, in my house, there was no one stirring, except me, I’m wide-awake, and surfing the net. Our, two dogs were sleeping in their kennel, and my husband, was sleeping soundly in the bedroom down the hall.

It’s Christmas Eve, and for the first time, we aren’t able to spend it with our children. However, we made the best of it, and had that day all planned out; sleep late, play lazy, and maybe with weather permitting go to a movie. My husband even had a holiday feast in mind, turkey, with all its trimming, green-bean casserole, baked potatoes, apple salad, and a yummy apple pie for dessert.

A smile crossed my face as I remembered the comment he made. “Honey, this meal is guaranteed to spice up our life, and expand our waistlines.”

I chuckled in reply, “For your information, my waistline doesn’t need any more expansion, it need more reduction.”

As I sit here, I look around the room, a festive Christmas tree decorated one corner of the living room, lights twinkle in every window, and a decorative candle adorned the coffee table….so why am I feeling so blue right now?

Maybe it’s because up until a few years ago, we’d spend Christmas here at home, with a house full of people, children’s laughter, great food, homemade candy, a variety of gifts, and the harmonious sounds of Christmas carols, serenading through the air.

I know that life goes on children grow into adults, and start families of their own. Nowadays we’d travel to see them, during the holidays, and make new memories.

This year’s different, because I myself cannot travel to see them. Although my mind says yes, my body, with its numerous health problems says no. I just want to ignore things and yell, “Baahumbug,” and enjoy the joyous season anyways.

I put my head in my hands and whispered, “You know what I want for Christmas? I want someone special, just for me, to help me do those things I no longer can do.” I giggled and smirked, “Like that’s going to happen.”

I logged off the computer, and then went into the kitchen and poured myself of cup of eggnog, and added a little bit more rum than usual to it. Why not, maybe it could warm up my spirit.

I then walked into the living room, went over to the sofa, sat down, and pulled back the curtain to see if it was snowing yet. After all, I’m always wishing for a White Christmas.

Some of Jack Frost’s handiwork covered the window and the streetlight looked like a refracted halo.