“What do you want to be when you’re older?”
“Halloween. ”

“Christmas is for presents!”
“No, honey, it’s for being with people you love and spending time with them.”
“Ooooh, ok, mama,” and in a whisper as I walk away, “…and cookies.”

“Mama, can we watch the “Honk-ah” show?”
“I’m sorry, honey, what?”
“You know, the Super Why where they light candles and eat latchkeys?”
“”Latchkeys”? Do you mean “latkes”, maybe? The potato cakes. Candles? – oh, Hanukkah!”
“Yeah, that’s what I said!”

Nora woke up today, ran to the tree, and started reciting her version of the “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
“Twas the night before Christmas and all through da’ house, creatures were waiting for PRESENTS and Nora’s Christmas! Hurray!”

I was leaning against the stove, eating my dinner, and crying. Nora came in and asked if I had finished working on her mask that I said I was fixing. I brushed away my tears and finished it for her. As I tied the last knot, I asked her what her favorite parts of the Christmas day were. She listed off her friends that had visited, her unicorn, and the food. I told her that mine was the nap I had with her. She leaned against my leg, hugged me, and said, “You’re a good person, mama.”

Here’s hoping that your unicorns are happy and you grow up to be Halloween.