With an audible sigh, Debra flopped back onto the overstuffed couch. Playing "Santa" was so stressful, but this moment always made it worth it. That moment of silence just after the last magical gift had been placed under the tree, the last bite had been taken out of that cookie left by her eager children, the last candy cane had been stuffed into a stocking. She loved this moment. Sitting back and seeing what her children would see come tomorrow, strike that, later this very morning.
The twinkling lights that caught glass icicles and silver baubles tucked around the decidedly less sophisticated ornaments made by little hands.
The over-the-top wrapping job that she knew would be enthusiastically destroyed within minutes, but she enjoyed creating too much to do a lesser job.
The soft sound of Nat King Cole wishing her a Merry Christmas in the background.
Yes this was the perfect moment that she wished she could bottle for rough times and screaming children, but for now she would savor it just a little longer before heading off to bed.
A tribute to my mother who loves Christmas and Camels.