Winter Lights

A snowy winter brings a blinding end to autumn's crisp darkness. The bare branches stretch hungrily toward the sun but instead meet snowflakes to envelop them until the land thaws in the spring.

The snow reflects onto the neighborhood and adds a soft glow to accompany the twinkling string lights decorating the buildings. A young couple walks hand-in-hand down the sidewalk, their love-drunk smiles illuminated by the rows of holiday decor lining the street. The plastic reindeer's red nose blinks and it tilts its head toward them as they pass.

Ten years later, children press their noses against the window to watch the sparkling ice crystals drift down and blanket the grass. Their mother finishes draping the last length of string lights around the Christmas tree. They light up various baubles along with the ornament that her youngest child made in school and the photo of her late husband. It's not much, but they light up her world every Christmas.