So, Christmas was…quiet. And unexpectedly lonely. And while my brother’s “joke” gifts have ceased being cruel, they may actually have somehow gotten less funny. Not that they were ever funny, really, but before you could at least guess at what the joke was supposed to be.

On the good side, I got Queen’s Crown Jewels, an European JT marionette, a signed print of True Peace, and some money.

On the less-good side, I had actually acquired them all myself on my mother’s behalf, and only the money was an actual surprise. I used to like that. But then, I used to have Daddy’s surprises to look forward to, too. Now its kind of like that last tiny bit of Christmas that I didn’t hate, has evaporated.

Maybe next year I’ll say “yes” when Mom asks if I want to skip it….