The view from the back seat of Mom's stationwagon revealed a world of endless perfection. The tops of snow-coveredmounds peeped over the leather door panel and through my window. Theycame and went rhythmically, matching the beat of my heart. Lookingthrough the handprint-covered glass, I squinted as the sun shone throughthe branches. Large, harmless clouds inspired dragons and bearded faces.Something can look like anything if you stare at it long and hardenough.

The dragons and bearded faces faded with the setting sun,and I pulled my furry blue blanket around my shoulders. MulticoloredChristmas lights illuminated familiar homes. Silhouettes of families andChristmas trees beamed through passing yellow windows; children shookshiny presents, trying to guess their contents.

Monotony soonset in, and I fell over in the seat, asleep. A cocoon of comfortsurrounded me as the car moved smoothly down the road.