and tonight i’ll ache. for no particular reason or amount of time. i’ll stare at the tree, clad in the soft yellow glow of christmas lights, and i’ll ache. i’ll ache for a time i was filled with childish wishes. for a time i would wake up earlier than dawn to open up colorfully wrapped boxes and bags. i’ll ache for the christmas spirit of times past. i’ll ache for me. for a version so far gone, i can barely remember her face.