Three days before Christmas. Doppler radar is in place on the weather channel, pointed toward the North Pole to track the flight of the sleigh filled with toys and flown by reindeer. It never gets old. The sight of a jolly mall Santa still makes me smile. Carolers, garland, even lame or over-the-top decorations all join together to say, "Merry Christmas."

Our tree is covered with mauve silk and golden ornaments, topped with two gold crowns and a huge silk bow. Presents circle the bottom and spill over onto a chair, into a basket and upon a credenza...I didn't think I was doing all that much shopping.

Friends are coming to dinner this evening and freshly baked bread is cooling on the rack. Cookies, fudge and other sweets will accompany peppermint ice cream for desert.

I've gotten used to not having a white Christmas and just enjoy, with smirks, pictures posted by others in the snow belt of northern Ohio and New York.

Christmas Eve services remind us that the holiday has a deep and abiding purpose. Christmas Day reminds us that happiness is about family. The day after Christmas...well, that reminds me that if I'm patient, I can do it all again in a year. And that's what I think about it.