The living room was decorated with a tan couch, white walls, our oriental rug and the oval glass coffee table.  For some reason I do not remember the placement of everything in the room, but I just remember the tree was in the corner and everything else was there.  I don’t remember actually being sick with the flu, but I remember my mom worried about my grandparents getting sick.  Late that night after everyone had left, I was still up with my parents because it was Christmas Eve.  We were sitting on my living room couch with all the lights off and we were looking at the tree.  I remember that there were already presents that my family probably brought because I wanted to open them.  That night was just a fun night.  Even though I was sick  I still had a very memorable time just sitting in front of the tree on a Christmas Eve with my mom and dad.  Before I went to bed I remember that I did not want to stop being with mom and dad.  I was also very tired though so I settled for seeing them in the morning on Christmas day.  I’m not sure what actually made me remember the night so well, but I think it was because it was the first time I could experience an event like Christmas Eve with my family.      

I think a possible reason why this memory stuck with me so much could be that my love for Christmas Eve got me so into the day that it just turned into a great time that I would never forget.   Another possible reason why I remember this time so much is because experiencing Christmas as a young boy is very memorable and exciting.  It was a unique first time experience, and I don’t think that I would ever forget something that special as a little child.  Christmas and Christmas Eve are very important to me still.  For me it is a time that my family really gets to connect and spend time with one another.  My family is an amazing family.  Out of all cousins and aunts and uncles, everyone gets along, and we are all great friends.  A time of so much meaning could never be forgotten.  Nothing out of the ordinary, unusual, or extra special happened that night, but the fact that everyone had such a special time together was the sign of a great night.  This memory affects who I am today, because it gives me a good understanding of what it takes to make people happy, and reminds me of where I come from.