I was both happy and sad that I was behind schedule replacing myself with a system that could do everything I could do. Sad because I was behind and happy because if I could replace myself with a program, I could probably replace others, which would keep me employed.

My kid loved the Christmas tree program my company gave me. She designed the ornaments and moved them to the tree with the mouse. It included a virtual dollhouse, with flowered wallpaper for the family of virtual dolls. The virtual toys were tied with big golden ribbons that reflected the flashing lights and dangling bulbs. She could click on a present and order it.  Very well-written, I thought proudly.  The project could be saved to disk.  We felt like a family.  I was beaming.  

Christmas morning, while our daughter unbundled her new software, my wife and I snuggled by the video fireplace. She hugged me close and whispered that she would like another child, a fat baby brother for Darlene, and would do anything I asked. I told her that we would get started on that project right away. I would design one during lunch tomorrow. 

And I would edit my wife's hair color. I could do with a change.