Merry Christmas, honey...

My shoulders are aching from lugging buckets of candy canes, I'm still overheated from so many protective layers against the howling wind (no snow, though), and I'm utterly famished. I'm going to go have Christmas surf n' turf dinner, with egg nog or wine or beer or whatever I decide upon... and then I'll stretch out on the rocking chair or couch and watch the lights of our tree shimmer to the tunes of our family's favourite accapella carol LP.

I love this holiday for the smile it puts on my face, to see houses packed with families, to see the faces of small kids (and quite a few big kids) light up with glee as they see Santa Claus in his fire truck. I love this holiday because it fills me with a kind of permanent mental snuggle-mood. I've never had a 'bad' Christmas. I can't tell you what one would be.

But I still miss you. I wish I could curl up with you on the couch, sharing egg nog and rum and pleasant thoughts in silence. I wish I could have you with me to watch the sun rise over the river valley, and then set behind the cloudy mountains. Know that I'm thinking of you tonight, love...

Here's some words for anyone who is spending time away from loved ones and family this year. You're missed, you're loved, and you're only alone if you want to be.

The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top
The snow is softly falling
The air is still within the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon each page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are liftin'
The morning light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are driftin'

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
Upon this winter night with you
And to be once again with with you

Merry Christmas Eve, one and all. Sleep well with a smile on your face.