It's Christmas Eve and I'm, as the movie title goes, Home Alone.
But don't feel badly for me.
It's one of those years where I'll be going home to see the family after Christmas.
There are advantages, of course.
Some years when I've had to be home late, it's allowed me to do my Christmas shopping during the after-Christmas sales.
Now that most of the family is into giving and receiving gift cards, I actually have my shopping done before Christmas even though the recipients won't get them for a few more days.
There's no savings involved except for saving time. I'm flying home and packing gifts is a hassle. (Not to mention a potential extra charge for overweight luggage.)
So I'm kind of mellow being alone on Christmas Eve.
The cats will see what's in their stocking (hung on the fireplace mantle, of course) in the morning.
Then church, then packing, then a quiet Christmas evening at home.
When I was growing up, my family didn't put up the tree until a few days before Christmas and it didn't come down until just after New Year's Day. Very traditional.
So I'll be going home to Christmas trees still decorated, lights indoors and out still shining.
In other words, it will still be Christmas when I get there.
