Outside the old, wooden, blue house, cloudy smoke slowly exits from the chimney. It’s around 1 PM, and everything is already dark and damp. I slowly approach the big, glass door. As I get closer, the smell of tomatoes, fresh herbs, and melted chocolate fills my nose. Entering the lit warm house, I hear my dad singing Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, as he sautés the fresh tomatoes for the pasta. My sister is stirring chocolate into the delicious batch of gooey brownies, while my mom and brother hang brightly colored ornaments on the crisp green tree. When a screech comes from the door, they turn and stop what they are doing to greet me. I feel full of joy, and cheerful. I’m home, and it’s the first time I’ve seen my family together in a long time.