...and I was preparing all day long. Finally, all the gifts are wrapped and downstairs looking pretty. Gingerbread men, rumballs, and buckeyes are all finished - I still have three more kinds of cookies I want to bake tomorrow, but they're the easier ones. The apartment isn't as spotless as I usually try to make it for the holidays, but at least it's neater.

I'm tired, and my shoulder and neck muscles are aching from looking down at the counters all day long. I'm looking forward to sleep. As I walked upstairs to my bedroom, the clock changed over to midnight. Now it's Christmas. Everything I did today, and over the past few weeks, feels worthwhile already. Over the next week, I get to give away the presents, and the cookies, and smiles and hugs. I hope I'll be able to give as much joy to my friends as I'll feel in the giving.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.