Smoke is melting the snow near the chimneys, and ice crystals are starting to form on the windows of those who are left without power, with only the fire giving them light. Merry carrollers are singing; giving joy to all those who can hear them. Worried people hurry to the local market, trying to stock up on the necessities, and even a Christmas present or two for their little ones at home. The children are having fun and enjoying the snow, while if not at the store or attending to the fire, the adults work on clearing the drive-way in preparation for work the following week. With night falling, the children hurry to bed hopeful for a present or two from the jolly-old St. Nicholas. After putting out the cookies and milk, the children fall alseep, allowing the parents to sneak into the living-room and carefully make a couple of powdered sugar foot-prints, eating some, but not all the cookies, and wrapping the presents oh so carefully so that there is no distinction between the presents from mom and dad and the presents from the childrens' beloved Santa Claus. Upon awaking early in the morning, the children run down the long flight of stairs, to see the amazing sight of the floor under the Christmas tree covered in numerous presents, all in different colors and shades of bright wrapping paper. The children, so elated, soon run back up the long flight of stairs to wake their parents. The family soon gathered all around the tree, start one by one tearing apart the carefully wrapped paper to reveal the suprises inside. Countless presents lay unwrapped, the parents with the glad "we did good" look on their faces, as they watch their bright balls of joy have fun with their newly acquired toys and trinkets. The father then decides that he will cook a nice treat, so that the mom can have a break and have fun on the joyful Chistmas Day. Merry Christmas -- Spencer W. Tindall
