Late night, Christmas Eve at our home. We sat in wonder of how we somehow magically transformed our living room into own Christmas fantasy world. And we were quite exhausted. The whirlwind rush of the previous two weeks had suddenly, finally come to a screeching halt. During that time it seemed that making Christmas might almost be impossible, me getting my winter cold and all. And yet there we were, presents and all. So quiet and calm. Watching the 1951 Scrooge with Alastair Sim earlier that evening had made the moment complete. We were once again in Christmas land, and the magic of Christmas once felt as a child permeated all around us. At times like this your own introspective thoughts tend to dominate your consciousness. You recall your most recently past Christmases. A year or two ago; 5 years ago; twenty years ago and as far back as you can remember. No other time of the year causes such deep personal recall and reflection of your life as does the Christmas season. And then as you top off that last glass of wine, your Ghosts of Christmases past pay their customary annual Yule time visit, always at such a late night quiet moment on Christmas Eve. Suddenly without notice you once again share the same room, exchanging pleasantries. No words are spoken. No need to. They already were, years ago. But nonetheless, here they are again. Lost family members, lost lovers, and once close friends that for whatever reason journeyed a different path. My two year old son sits down beside me. He wants me to know yet one more time he wants some rubber snakes for Christmas. He's 20 now. My father admires the tree. He left us 7 years ago. But for that one magical moment, what once was, is once again. Although bittersweet, even sad, it's also a very congenial and warm moment. And it's good to see their smiles once again. It really is. . . . But then you glance towards the chimney as you hear the sound of the blowing wind outside, and when you look back, they are gone. And go they must because it's those in the present that count. One of these days those you share Christmas with today will join the ranks of your Ghosts of Christmas past. So enjoy them while you can. As Julia always tells me, "Seize the day and make it yours". This is two photos stitched together, taken around midnight, Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas from marshall & julia!