Every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it.

-Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

---

So I finally got through all of my commission work today, and I really wanted to do a piece of personal art - something that I could use as a Christmas message to all of you, my friends. So I wanted to make this little Christmas Eve scene feel special and cozy, like I'm sharing it with you - listening to the logs softly crackling on the hearth, drinking a nice warm mug of sweet cocoa and reading a classic yuletide story.

This has been a difficult holiday season for me, because it's the first Christmas I've ever had to spend away from my family. Yesterday I was really upset about it and just having difficult time dealing with it, but Mom called me and helped me put things back into perspective. I'll still get to see my family, and even though I can't be with them at Christmas, I have a loving mate here beside me and many, many wonderful friends here in the fandom who truly make me feel like part of a different - but no less special - kind of family.

So to all of you, a happy holiday season, whatever you may celebrate. And here's hoping for a lovely 2016. :)