Christmas...not just a holiday to remember, but is THE holiday for all children of families that celebrate. The anticipation starts at least a month before. Once Thanksgiving was over, it was officially the Christmas season! Everything had to be put into order to get ready. Looking for hours on end at the Christmas catalogs, circling all the toys that looked like fun. Then the writing of the list and finally narrowing it down to the things you really, really wanted. The tree, the decorating, the shopping, sitting on Santa's lap at the mall to tell him what you would like under the tree. All the important things that had to be done to prepare for that big night. I remember one of my favorite things during that month of waiting was watching all the Christmas shows. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Sitting in front of the television , a mug of hot chocolate with the little miniature marshmallows melting in it, eyes glued to the screen so I didn’t miss a second. The magic of those shows will live in my heart forever. The anticipation builds to a fever pitch on Christmas eve. I would hurry off to bed as soon as my parents told me it was time to sleep. Snuggling down between the sheets, squeezing my eyes closed, thinking it would not be possible to sleep. I remember being torn between wanting to stay awake to see if I could hear Santa's bells or maybe the sound of the reindeer hooves on my roof and knowing that I HAD to go to sleep or he wouldn't stop at my house. The excitement was overwhelming, it started in the pit of my stomach and spread out to the tips of my fingers and toes. Then a horrible thought always popped into my head...was I good enough this year??? My mind would race, maybe I shouldn't have kicked my big brother when he was teasing me! But wait, isn't that one on him? He started the whole thing by teasing. Yes, I was in the wrong also, but I did share my cookies with him later that day to apologize, he didn't even say he was sorry. Aha! Coal for him, not me! At least that's the way I hope it works. My mind comes up with several other things, but I'm sure those are only minor. Things that all kids do, nothing that would keep Santa from leaving presents. Alright, I think I was more good than bad. I did keep my room clean and put away my clothes all year. I even did most everything my parents asked of me without too much complaining. Yes, I think I'm alright this year! Slowly the thought fades as I drift towards sleep. Suddenly my eyes pop open. Is it morning already? Did I actually fall asleep? No, it’s not light out yet. Maybe I was sleeping, but for how long, a few minutes? A few hours? Something had awakened me, then I realize what it was…sleigh bells!! I hear them jingling in the distance, the sound getting softer every second. Santa was HERE, he was HERE!!! I hear him flying away! I’m wide awake and shaking with excitement. My first thought is to run out to the living room and look under the Christmas tree. But would that be naughty? Santa is always watching, all year, even right after he leaves the presents. If I peek, will he come back and take them? I decide it’s best not to push my luck, he was here, I’m sure he left me something. I’ll just have to wait until morning to look. I settled back into my bed, knowing this time I won’t sleep. I imagined myself in the morning tearing open brightly colored wrapping paper and finding inside all the toys that I had wanted. I imagined the look on my family’s faces when I told them that I had heard Santa’s sleigh bells in the night. I imagined, no…dreamt that I could fly, I dreamt that I was 10 feet tall, I dreamt that I would never forget this Christmas. Only the last dream was true, the others just crazy kid dreams. I still remember the feeling of absolute joy as I tore into the wrapping paper. I still remember the look of surprise on my dad’s face when I told everyone I heard the sleigh bells during the night. Feelings and memories to be treasured always…a holiday to remember. Word count 762. I was inspired by my memories of Christmas as a child. All the joy and magic it holds.