Memories

I was racing down the steps quickly yet careful not to trip. There was the faint smell of pine lingering in the air and through a thinly ice-covered window, I saw that day had slowly turned to night and the moon was seemingly dim. The many houses were garbed in festive lights, some of which flickered through the night air just like every Christmas year.  No one could be out in the winter’s snow yet something caught my eye. It was a man, a man who wore nothing but a ragged brownish coat. He shivered and rubbed his hands together, blowing in them for extra warmth. His breath swirled into a foggy mist then faded into the darkness. 1

“Lia hurry up, it’s your turn!” I quickly tore my eyes away from the window and finished the last few steps before I reached our second floor. Curiosity forced me to take one last glance out of the window; the man was gone.2

I headed toward the family room. A fairly large Christmas tree stood in the corner, adorned with many ornaments and tinsel and mounted above it was the magnificent Star of David. Below it were several gifts of varying sizes. 3

My little sisters had already started clawing their way through their presents. My older brother fiddled with his newly received model cars and my older sister sat on the couch with her legs curled beneath her. She focused her attention on a small box that was held in her palm. My mother had a video camera in her hands and wished to record every moment of this joyous day as my dad read the birthday cards we had made for him.  4

“ Here, these are yours.” A few wrapped boxes were shoved into my hands. I walked across the torn wrappings and the rarely found patches of carpet until I reached a pleasant area. Setting the gifts aside, I cleared away the floor and sat down, eventually pulling the gifts back toward me. 5

I took a moment to observe my surroundings. Christmas music was playing, Puerto Rican Christmas music, and I felt a warmth within myself. I looked around the room at my family, all together on this wondrous night. We had laughed as we played a few games and cooked several holiday foods. Then with a smile on my face, I turned back to my gifts, picked one up, and slowly unwrapped it. Little did I know that that would be our last Christmas together. 6