The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn Fortunately, I have access to my new nightgown drawer again. I pick a shorter flannel nightgown for tonight. After cleaning off my makeup, brushing my teeth and admiring my new studs, I braid my hair and crawl into my parent's bed wondering what tomorrow’s epiphany will be.

Friday Jan 6: Day 12 - The Epiphany

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn I quickly remove my traitorous arms from around his neck and duck into the house. OMG! What did I just do?

Wednesday Jan 4, Day 10

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn As we fall asleep in each other’s arms later that evening, I think of how good it is to have friends.

Monday Jan 2, Day 8

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn I take off the topaz necklace and set it on my nightstand. I am positive that there is a very slight glow emanating from the stone after I turn off the light.

Saturday Dec 31, Day 6

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn I went over the story again as I made my rounds setting tells and making sure the house is secure before turning in for the night. I still don’t get it.

Thursday Dec 29, Day 4

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn I wonder again if my parents aren’t truly communicating with me from the grave. I go to bed with more questions than answers.

Tuesday Dec 27, Day 2

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn I am very tired when I get back to my lonely home late that evening. After trying unsuccessfully to work the clasp on the necklace in my exhausted state, I decide to just leave it on for the night as I fall into bed.

Monday Dec 26, Day 1

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Tiffany B. Quinn Tradition has it that the magi took twelve days to find the Christ child after the new star first appeared at the time of the child’s birth. This is a magical time, which ends the day before Epiphany. Unlike the eighteenth-century English Christmas carol which details an increasing number of gifts with the twelve days of Christmas, Karl’s gifts do not increase in number daily. Instead, their cumulative effect has a profound impact on his life view.

Sunday Dec 25, Day 0

Family home

I tore the wrapping paper off. Inside was the bear. It was soft. I hugged him and buried my face in his artificial fur. And it felt soooo good…

“You two look exhausted,” Priya said as Luke and Lucy sat down at their usual table in the Student Union bar. “I don’t need to guess why, do I?” The Indian girl bit her lip as her two friends both shook their heads.

“Ugh,” Luke sighed, sharing a knowing glance with his sister. “Never mind ‘back from holiday’, I feel like I NEED a holiday.” Luke allowed himself a smile as his friends Gavin and Susie smiled sympathetically.

“Okay, just a few more,” the photographer says to me as I pose in my designer jeans and t-shirt. “That’s great Ian, look this way, try to stand a bit straighter so we can see the logo clearly.” I do as I’m told and hold a subtle smile on my face as the camera takes photos of me- or rather, the clothes I’m wearing. “Okay, I think that’s everything. Thanks Ian, I’ll you have the rest of your Saturday back!”

Even though the twins didn’t see Susie again for the rest of the Christmas holidays, they remained on a high until their return to college at the start of January. Having a genuine friend, someone in whom they could confide opened up new possibilities for Luke and Lucy, possibilities that both were eager to explore, but with caution- caution that was validated when the twins went to their counsellor for their first meeting of 2018.

This is a poem I wrote the day after Christmas. I am alone on Christmas and found this one hard. If you are looking for bright and cheerful, this is not it. Sorry.

The Secret Gift By Teek © 2021 Chapter 6 Dad

Summary: Suzy takes on more and more guilt as the family hits challenges due to her transition. Can Grandma help her through?

Dream Date

Sorry for the late entry. Life happened.

The Secret Gift By Teek © 2021 Chapter 4 Christmas Magic

Summary: Can Suzy discover some Christmas Magic before she loses herself forever?

The Secret Gift By Teek © 2021 Chapter 3 Aunt Jessica

Summary: Suzy and Jilly go to spend the night at Aunt Jessica's house. As Suzy adjusts to more people knowing about her, Cousin Mary must get used to the new reality. A side trip back to Grandma's to visit with Mom, reveals Mom's view on the transition.

A Well-Planned Christmas Vacation

by MonicaS

16-year-old Dan goes with his sister and their parents to a family gathering at his grandparents' farm for Christmas. Dan plans to spend most of the 5 days with his cousin John playing games. What could go wrong?

A classic from a few years ago, brought back to the front page...