Maybe it's the way the elf br is grinning... br Maybe it's the way Mrs. Claus br seems to know something I don't. br Christmas always has an aura of mystery br and a tinge of sadness. br It could be the way the bulbs br hang from the tree and effortlessly br reflect a twisted, distorted view of myself br as I search the branches for br the bulbs that may mean something... br anything, br to someone. br No matter how I turn, br I can't get away br from the carnival-mirror-like image br hiding between the strands of garland. br She mocks me br as I look at the homemade bulb br with glitter letters br that says ''Mothers Make Memories''. br I wonder if every Christmas tree br holds within it br the bulbs that blind them.