Christmas Morning

I grew up in Europe but had moved to the US for college. My parents still lived overseas and my siblings were studying in different states, so I only got to see my family once a year over winter break. Christmas had always been a memorable holiday, but it grew to become my favorite time of year. Christmas was no longer just a time of presents and tinsel, music and cheer. It was a time to be with my family; the only time. And it was on this particular Christmas morning that realization sunk in.

Andrew Neel