First, let me thank everyone for your kind words this week. Thank you so much.

This Christmas was a little different than I had hoped, but still nice. I got some nice gifts from friends and then a good friend took me to a movie and we had a Christmas Feast at Waffle House! Thanks John.

None of my Christmas gifts were finished, meaning that pretty much no one got gifts from me (unless they were books...love the perks of my new job). Much to my surprise and relief, it was okay. No one doubted that I was their friend, no one thought any worse of me. It really made me realize what Christmas is for, and it is not gifts. I felt very loved this Christmas. By friends, neighbors, children...it was lovely. The gifts that I loved the most were ones that cost nothing, like the friend who invited me to hang out and drink wine before Christmas Eve dinner, getting to watch my good friends read 'The Cajun Night Before Christmas' to their children before tucking them to wait for Santa, having breakfast with children who call me 'Sisa' and love me, and seeing a movie with a friend who is also alone today. Those are better than any gift card I could have received.

I feel truly blessed...even with a still negative checking account. That is nice.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.