It is midnight. The family is nestled, all snug in their beds, and I can't sleep. I don't remember being this excited about Christmas in decades. Maybe I never have been this excited. I've was struck with joy the moment I helped Santa unpack his goodies. As I gathered the stockings and toys into my arms I smelled a smell I had all but forgotten. Rachel's new doll smells like so many Christmas mornings. The smell brought back a medley of thoughts and feelings of childhood, siblings, Santa, and parents. I keep imagining Rachel's grin as she hurries to the tree where her doll glows, basking in the hundreds of tiny white lights. She is going to be thrilled to find fruit snacks in her stocking. I mean overjoyed. She LOVES fruit snacks. My joy is already full just imagining her beautiful little face.
My hope is that by sending this out into the world, that maybe, just maybe, my heart and mind will simmer down so that I can get a few hours of sleep before Christmas Morning festivities begin. Merry Christmas everyone!
