I'm sleeping in the office tonight, plastered with Vicks vapor rub, humidifier humming, and just downed a hot glass of Nyquil.  When Mommies gets sick, we isolate.  We don't want to wake hubby with our hacking and don't want the kids to find us right away in the morning.  So despite the cold, it's a bit of a reprieve.

I got to thinking about being a kid at Christmas so many moons ago, and how the single illumination of an colored electric candle in my bedroom window brought joy to my heart.  My Mom was a 'single-mom' working two jobs to make sure my sister and I were provided for.  She was not always a happy person but somehow, the days leading to Christmas brought a shine to her eyes.  She'd stay up into the wee hours, sewing machine pumping out new nighties and dresses.  She would pick us up from my Grandmother's, teasing us about the trunk-full of Zayre purchases.  Mitch Miller's band and Willie Nelson would regale our living room with Christmas music.  We made certain we understood the holiness of Christmas. And she refused to allow the burdens of her life ruin the Holidays.  I like to think that it was the only time she allowed her inner child to reveal itself.      She was at her best this time of year and I will always appreciate her for passing along her love of Christmas to me.

Like so many homes on our road, our windows are lit with the lovely glow of traditional white lights.  But tonight, before tucking myself in to bed, I've replaced one of the bulbs with a frosted red one.  And before the Nyquil takes hold, will watch the candle, smiling at those freshened childhood memories.

What is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas?