Christmas 1981

Landover, Md

Age: 6

I unwillingly go to bed at about 9pm after reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and drinking what was probably my fifth cup of deliciously creamy eggnog. I was always fascinated with the fact that I didn't like eggs at all but somehow managed to love this 'egg drink'. It was like a dessert so… it was okay! My older sister, Yolanda, lie in the twin bed next to me and I talk long into the night about what I wished for Santa to bring. With every noise made outside I would jump to look out the window—hoping to see Santa's sleigh with tiny reindeer in the sky. I would look hard into the night sky to see a flashing red light but…it wasn't him. He hadn't made it yet. I never wondered much about how Santa could get to the 'hood and into our two-bedroom bottom floor apartment without a chimney…I just knew that he would. In the wee hours of the morning, the harassment would begin. My poor sister…

3am: Is it time?

No…go back to sleep.

4am: Is it time?

No…go back to sleep

5am: Is it time?

No…go back to sleep

6am: Is it time?

She remained quiet for a moment after opening her eyes.

Slowly…a smile forms onto her face.

It's Time!