I remember the mornings of Christmas. 

The anxiety we all felt as we waited for our parents to wake up. 

Waiting to see if Santa came.

I remember sitting in the living room with my sister next to the lighted Christmas tree patiently waiting as my parents made coffee. 

I remember seeing the big white fluffy snowflakes falling in my living room window as we listened to the wood crackle from our fireplace.

I remember matching family pajamas. 

I remember Hallmark movies all month long. 

I remember coziness and laughing. 

I remember snowball fights and making snow angels. 

I remember midnight mass. 

But now I'm older.

I hold Christmas traditions in my bones keeping them warm underneath my Christmas sweater.

Soon I won't wake up in my parents house, on Christmas morning to the smell of my Mom's baking, 

It won't wake me up from my childhood bedroom.

I will ache at the realization my sisters aren't waiting for me in the living room. 

I may be older now

But every time I hear the radio playing Christmas music,

I am reminded of my Christmas Memories. 

I feel like a kid again.