The recycling bin is overflowing, the wrapping paper stowed away. You can see the living floor again. Which is to say that the hurricane that is Christmas has roared through our house. In its place is a sudden calm that I try to interpret as peace.

Outside a gentle rain is falling. I just walked through it. I didn’t mind that the drops were dripping down my face. I welcomed the cool air, the sodden smell.

Christmas Day is over. Now comes the hard part.