It's nearly 6pm. After a day of baking, wrapping, listening to Lessons and Carols from Kings College, Cambridge, and not getting out of pajamas (save for a last-second run to the grocery store--mayday! where are the tomatoes for the minestrone soup?!), we're in the quiet hours before everything begins.
It's our usual Christmas Eve routine. Dad is at the church for the early family service. Mom and G are napping. In an hour or so, Dad will get home, we'll have our traditional Christmas Eve supper of soup, salad, and bread, and we'll get dressed for the church--my favorite service, my favorite two hours of the whole year.
But for now, it's quiet in the house. The presents are wrapped. The fire is lit. The table is set. We're ready.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
