The TV Christmas Specials of the 1960's do it to me every year.

Just hearing any of Vince Guaraldi's music from A Charlie Brown Christmas,

Or Burl Ives singing Holly Jolly Christmas,

I'm back in my jammies and robe, sitting too close to the TV,

with only the lights of the Christmas tree on.

I see the Peanuts gang crowd around that pitiful twig of a tree,

their fast flying arms hard at work and then revealing

the most beautiful tree transformation.

"Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!"

Then there's the Island of Misfit Toys around the campfire on Christmas Eve,

feeling forgotten again. Suddenly....the sound of jingle bells and Santa's sleigh appears!

Charley in the Box, the Choo Choo with square wheels and the Water Pistol that shoots jelly

all will find their boy or girl to love them, thanks to Rudolph!

My longing affliction for the past is strong this time of year.

Sometimes the memories invite a smile, sometimes tears.

I smile remembering my scream of delight finding an

Easy Bake Oven under the tree.

I prayed, no begged, to Santa, every night since Halloween.

It worked! The begging worked!

I attribute my love of baking today from those two

incandescent light bulbs.

The simple ease of adding water to the mix in the

small, dangerous, metal pans and pushing them into the small slot.

My family endured the tiniest morsels of watt-baked cake as I

divided it up into eight slices. I gladly accepted their praise.

The tears come when I think of my Mom and how I miss her even more.

There's no way that will ever change or ever lessen. Never.

Nostalgia is a curious phenomenon.

Centuries ago it was considered a disease of the mind.

I'm grateful for the affliction.

My Mom's Christmas outfit, earrings, apron, and

and her insistence on going to church on Christmas morning.

I would wear my white bunny fur hat and matching muff.

I didn't like being at church away from my presents but

I loved that hand muff with satin lining.

*Please no comments about bunny fur...I was a child*

I hid a piece of candy from my stocking inside the muff, next to my rosary.

I'd refuse to pull my hands out even when it came time to kneel.

I'd leverage my arm bones on the pew to lower myself onto the kneeler.

Communion time! Mom in line and my chance to have my own hidden communion!

I'm so glad the sweat and candy stains were hidden on the muff lining.

After Christmas dinner it was time to bundle up and play outside.

I had to swap my muff for two pair of yarn mittens that never

protected my fingers from freezing.

After sledding, building forts, snow angels and the inability to feel my toes,

Christmas day was coming to a close.

Dressing in my new Christmas pajamas, I'd climb into a bed heavy with covers.

The adults downstairs seemed to be happier and louder.

All I could think of was which would I choose tomorrow?

Devil's Food cake or Brownies?

I hummed a quiet lullaby:

"Easy Bake, Easy Bake fast as you can.

Mix 'em up, mix 'em up, pour 'em in the pan.

Slide 'em in, slide 'em in, let 'em bake now.

Slide 'em in, Slide 'em out, Easy Bake, WOW!"

Hoping your nostalgia reminds you of

something or someone you once loved.