Christmas Memories:
The snow drifted slowly and gently towards the ground. Catching each sparkle of light, as the lights below luminated the streets. The dusting on the ground and in the trees gave a magic that only came once a year: Christmas
The horse, with a little Santa hat on his head, and sleigh drifted smoothly down the snow covered street. Friends and family tucked warmly under the blanket. Steaming cups of hot chocolate in their hands.
--- -----
The soft music filled the small room. Every now and then a Christmas carol would play. One that would remind her of something she had lost.
The faint knock on the door brought her from her memories as she looked up to the opening door.
"You coming?"
"Yeah. Let me grab my sweater." She answered, getting off her bed she picked up her sweater and started for the door. Casting one more glance at the picture at her bedside table.
---
She sat with her skates on but made no move to get up and go. She watched as three girls, the youngest she guessed about four and the oldest about nine skated by her. It brought a familiar pang to her heart as the younger one fell down. And just as she thought her tears would fall the older one skated up to her and wiped away the tear. Lifting her back to her feet she took her two tiny hands and as she skated backwards she pulled the younger one forward.
She watched them go around the rink once more, before she got up and placed her skates on the ice. She immediately took off at a graceful glide.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Them." she said as she watched the girls skate around. She knew in her heart that the three were sisters. Sisters like us. Or sisters like we were. She thought as her mind wandered as the music blasted through the speakers.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Phoebe ran quickly down the stairs. Well as quick as her little legs would carry her. Almost tripping on the last one, only to hold her balance as he made her way to the living room.
"PRESENTS!" she cried out as she slid to a stop almost under the tree.
Prue smiled at her baby sister, all of three years old as she grabbed a present and started to open it.
"Phoebe." She reached out and took the present, "Let's wait for Grams and Piper." She suggested as she saw her sisters lip start to quiver. But taking her in her arms before her sister could cry she made her way over to the hearth that held the stockings.
"How about we start here?" Prue suggested as she set her sister down.
Prue watched in mer amazement as her baby sister sat on her lap and opened every gift in her stocking. She loved the look on her sisters' face as she opened each little parcel inside. What was it about Christmas that seemed to make her baby sister get an almost magical look on her face?" Prue wondered, as she hugged Phoebe tight and felt the hug returned ten fold as Phoebe squeezed Prue with every thing she had.
"Phoebe love Prue."
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
The memory swirled around in her mind as she walked back home with her skates over her shoulders.
She paused a moment and just watched everyone doing their Christmas shopping. They all seemed so lost. As if Christmas was the next day; When I fact they still had just under a month to go.
She turned to the sound of the sleigh bells as another horse drawn carriage went by her carrying another family. Just enjoying the start of the holiday together.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
She sat on the park bench as the snow continued to fall lightly. She tipped her head back, trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. Though all she caught was another memory.
"You know living in California sucks at Christmas. We never get a white Christmas." Piper complained as she flopped down on the couch next to Prue.
"Well we could go into the mountains for the holidays. I'm sure Grams wouldn't mind."
"What about Phoebe?"
"Are you kidding me. Her and Christmas are like one and the same, and the chance to spend one with real snow. She'll jump at the chance."
"I didn't mean that. I mean you two on a holiday together, even Christmas is asking for trouble."
"Piper its Christmas. What can possibly go wrong?"
---
The cabin was decorated with ribbons and bows as the lights shone from over head casting amazing colours on the already fallen snow.
Phoebe stood beside her sister and rested her head on her shoulder, "This is the best idea you've ever had Prue. Everything I like about Christmas is right here." She said as she placed her arms around Prues waist. Taking in the falling snow, as she tipped her back trying to catch the flakes.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
She looked at the decorations that were sparse throughout the small apartment she shared with her friend.
She thought of all the times she was sad or hurt, every time she looked up it was the same face that was holding her gaze. Caring and full of love. The love only a mother could give. But yet she was not her mother. She was so much more then that.
She always would reminder her of the things she liked most. But most of all she let her know of her love, without even saying it. For that was truly her most favorite thing: The love of her family.