I know Halloween is near, but the nightmare I had the other night was about Christmas.

In my dream, I was rushing around panic stricken because it was Christmas Eve and I had yet to put up the tree.

In this frightened state, I was trying to figure out how on earth I was going to pull the tree down from the attic, get all the lights and ornaments on and make sure all the gifts were wrapped.

To heck with the other decorations yet to be placed throughout the house, the tree was a must.

Although I was dreaming, I still had awareness of how disappointed my family would be if there was no Christmas tree or gifts!

After waking up and realizing it was still October, I was relieved. I still had time to prepare for the season.

Initially, I blamed this terrifying dream on my job.

For the past few weeks, all of us in the newsroom have been working feverishly to put out the November/December issue of Vicksburg Living.

There are a couple Christmas stories in the magazine yours truly wrote, and I was also fortunate enough to be assigned the shopping pages.

Don’t get me wrong. I will never turn down an opportunity to shop.

I just thought focusing so much attention on Christmas this early had inserted into my REM sleep thoughts of the holidays already upon us.

However, I’m not sure I can throw the blame of my dream on to my job.

Look around; stores already have their holiday wares displayed.

From Christmas trees to garland to wrapping paper.

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. The food and the fellowship are great, and for locals there are a ton of activities scheduled.

But for just a few more days, I want to enjoy the calm of fall.

There is nothing pressing happening for me except maybe a little yard clean up. And since I don’t have children living at home anymore, I don’t have to worry about making costumes for Halloween or mapping out a trick-or-treat plan.

I can sit back, relax and enjoy one more cup of coffee. I can read a few more pages of my book at night.

The holidays are nearing, and it will be a busy time.

So, for now, I am going to choose to soak up as much calm as possible.

If only I could bank those tranquil moments!

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.