Christmas Eve

As we left church late this afternoon, the sky was already a deep blue and a thin moon shone just above the bare treetops. We spent the evening at my mother's house, eating and laughing, opening presents, telling stories and reminiscing about events that took place over the summer. During our candle ceremony, we talked about how thankful we were for each other. As we walked out into the cold to get into our cars and come home, bright stars glittered down from the dark winter sky.

It's almost time for bed. Boy in Black is sitting on the floor of my office, trying to come up with a creative way to wrap a silly present he has for his sister. Shaggy Hair Boy is playing the piano. My husband has sneaked off to bring in a gift that he hid somewhere. With-a-Why is upstairs talking to his sister.

As the winter wind blows against the house, I can hear the music of the wind chimes that dangle on the front porch. The dark woods around us are quiet, the pine trees reaching up to the star-filled sky. Inside, the Christmas tree glows with soft colours. And in the village under the Christmas tree, Mama Cat is guarding the castle.