With apologies, Clement

It’s the night before Christmas, and all through our house,
We’re doing pretty much nothing – just lazing around (but don’t get me started on yesterday! I made a sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, a four-bean salad, a batch of chocolate Chex candy mix, bought stocking stuffers, finished holiday shopping, wrapped presents, prepared a grocery list, and washed tons of dishes…)

The stockings are hanging at my mom’s with care
And we’ll soon be making our annual trip there (on Christmas eve, that is…we really go there about every Sunday, because as Ryan always likes to remind me, if it weren’t for Grandma, he would have never gotten a home cooked meal while he was growing up)
Where we open the stuffers; giggle, ooh and ahhh over the typical fare…
I usually get socks, candy and something pretty to wear,
And John gets Chapstick, Pepto Bismol (and some odd car or household gadget that sits in the garage for a year)
Ryan gets cash, a pair of undershorts or two, a gas card, a bag of Sour Patch Kids and a book card for school

While we eat dinner, the doggies are nestled all snug on their faux lamb skin beds,
And visions of Dentabones dance around in their heads
(Btw, today was especially good for Tuffy, because he got leftover scrambled eggs…which is his favorite. He always knows when we make eggs, and he stands and barks at us until we give him some.)

We’ll then head back home and prepare for our nap,
And won’t wake all night - in spite of the clatter…
We’ll know it’s just Santa, trying to do his job well
So we’ll leave him some cookies and treats for his elves
Of course the reindeer will be hungry, so we’ll leave them some kibble
And be grateful for anything Santa decides to leave on our table…
(Or under the tree, but that didn’t really rhyme too well - but when you think about it, table and kibble? Writing poetry is hard work!)

We’ll awake in the morning, take our showers n' get dressed
And sit with each other knowing that we are blessed.
With good family and friends and health and good will
And a few holiday meals where we’ll eat more than our fill

We’ll think about the year behind us,
And the year that lies ahead,
Look at our son, our parents and sigh -
Totally amazed at just how quickly time really does fly…

And how important it is
For us to enjoy every minute…
Because life is for living; time is not for wasting, and
Love is something to cherish and share in our life
And with everyone in it –

So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Years, too -
I truly hope that 2009 will be very special for you.