I was at the computer last night at around 4:00, up from a bout of insomnia. I decided to go to bed, and I shut the beast down.

And suddenly, it descended on me. The silence.

The TV wasn't on. The computer wasn't on. There was no traffic on the freeway. The heater was off. There was no sound.

I could actually hear the blood rushing through my veins, and I sat there for a minute, just listening.

And it hit me that I was well and truly alone.

I crawled into bed and buried myself under a couple of layers of blankets and comforter, and hugged my pillow.

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They say that the holidays are the worst time for the recently deceased.