"M-mom? Is that really you?" Lois asked the shining white figure.

"Yes, Lo. I've been allowed to come and warn you," she replied.

"Warn me? Warn me of what?"

"That you will be visited by 3 spirits."

"3 spirits? What is this a Christmas Carol? How do I know you're really my mother and not a dream or a hallucination?"

"One question at a time, honey. You always did like the fire a barrage of questions. Only you can decide to believe when this is all over. Nobody's forcing you to do anything. It's simply a message concerning your life."

"So 3 ghosts are coming to show me my past, present, and future? This should be a fun, sleepless night."

"I see your sarcasm hasn't suffered either. You can expect the first ghost at the stroke of 1, the second at the stroke of 2, and—"

"And the third comes in his own good time. I've seen countless versions of that stupid Dickens story. I know the drill. What I don't know is why. I give to charity. I'm basically a good person, aren't I?"

"It's not your soul that's in jeopardy. It's your life. The spirits will explain better than I can."

"Is it just because I'm not a number one fan of Christmas? Take a look at my Charlie Brown Christmas tree over there. I'm kind of Christmasy."

Her mother glided over to look at the tree. "It's not even decorated. It could just as easily be for Arbor Day."

"What's wrong with Arbor Day?"

Her mother laughed. "Absolutely nothing. My time has come to a close."

She began to fade away.

"Mom, are you happy?" she asked hurriedly before she faded away completely.

"Yes, and I spent my life on earth well. I want the same for my daughter. I love you."

"I love you too."

She was gone. Lois pinched herself. She was awake. What did Scrooge attribute Marley to? A bit of gruel or mustard? That probably wasn't a good example. In the book, Marley was real. She checked the clock. 12:15. If it was her imagination, then nothing was going to happen. If it was real, she better try and get 45 minutes of sleep. Scratch that, now it was 44. She hurried and got into bed.

She jerked awake and looked at the alarm clock. It was 12:59. How did a person's body know when to wake up? She took a look around her bedroom. There was no ghost in sight. She laid her head back down on her pillow.

Suddenly a bright light came from the foot of the bed. It was a rather short looking lady about 3 foot 9 with bright red hair. In her hand was a cone.

"Let me guess," said Lois, "you're the ghost of Christmas past and not just any past but my past."

"Correct."

"That cone in your hand extinguishes your light."

"No, it's just a dunce cap to represent all those times in the past you've been a real dunce."

"Very cute. What if I refuse to go with you?"

"You must. Now touch my robe and we shall be transported."

Lois crossed her arms and made no move to get out of the bed.

The Christmas ghost's eyes began to glow red, matching her hair. She was getting angry and about to use some kind of a power. Lois realized there was no choice in this matter, so she might as well go willingly.

"At least let me get my robe. It's cold out there and the world doesn't need to see me in my pjs."

"We shall be invisible and invulnerable to the weather."

"I want to take my robe. You've got one."

"Fine," said the exasperated spirit. "Get your robe and let's go. Time is limited."

Lois put on her robe and touched the ghost, who was surprisingly solid. They left in a flash of light.