I'm not going to miss the pace or the tension of the last month,
but I am going to miss the songs,
and the colors,
and the lights on my tree,
and the Very Special Episodes,
and the holiday treats,

and the myriad excuses to get together with people I don't see often enough,
and the Boss telling me to go ahead and take all the personal time off I need,

and thinking about what to give to people,
and being able to buy it and give it without the usual guilt,

and free shipping,

and the gradual blooming
(and sudden collapse)
of my amaryllis,

and the one or two strangers every day who made eye contact,
and even smiled at me,
and once in awhile said something cheery,
like "Merry Christmas."

That's what I'll miss.