Eve

 Christmas eve.  We always do Christmas on Christmas Eve.  This is a tradition that goes back to when I was a kid.  Mom and dad both worked at the hospital so one was always working Christmas. Santa would come early so we could all be together.  Even though dad is gone and my brother doesn't leave Colorado we still keep the tradition.

Unconscious

Sleep is not the same as being unconscious. I've been sleeping a lot and dreaming vividly.  Mostly good dreams.  The kind you don't want to wake up from because you are happy and things are good.  Or people who have died aren't dead and you get to see and talk to them.  For someone who lives alone and hasn't been in a relationship for several years that is more socializing I've done in the past year in about a week's worth of dreams.  I miss my dad and my dog the most.  I'd like to get another dog.  I might have to check into a rescue next spring.  Cats are easier if you have to go out of town or something but I really want the cuddles a larger dog provides.  I used to take my dog everywhere.  Camping, to the convenience store (not in), over to my parent's house, etc.  She was my protector and I was hers.  I'm convinced that dog would have attempted to kill someone who tried to physically harm me.  I really enjoy when I get to visit with her in my dreams.  She had her own pillow on the bed and everything and in the dreams I'm usually cuddling with her telling her what a good girl she is.  I have a friend who says those really vivid dreams are actually alternate realities.  I'm not sure but he could be right.  I tend to like those realities better than this one.