Thursday, December 17, 2009

Twas the week before Christmas,
chaos was all through the house,
Every child was screaming,
and I can’t find my blouse.

The stockings were hung,
by the TV with care,
This house is a mess,
I doubt they’re still there.

The children are now nestled,
All snug in their beds,
While the vision of a hot bath,
Dance around in my head.

Me on the sofa,
a book in my lap,
I had just settled down,
When the kids awoke from their nap.

I stopped to freshen up,
When there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the restroom,
To see what was left of my cookie platter.

Away to the car,
We flew like a flash,
The stores are still open,
But I forgot all my cash.

I reload the kids,
And pick up a lost hair bow,
I get back to the gate,
With no I.D. to show.

Can I barrow a phone,
Before I shed a tear,
I call on a friend,
She soon will be here.

With little time left,
I have to drive quick,
I see some lights flashing,
I know it’s not St. Nick.

More slowly than slugs,
He gives me my slip,
I look at the clock,
My heart does a flip.

With no time to spare,
I finish my mission,
Cookies for one hundred,
Are nearing completion.

A sound in the driveway,
I have heard it before,
My husband is home,
And he walks in the door.

His eye’s scan the room,
As the kids run by,
They meet with an obstacle,
Mount high to the sky.

Up to the house top,
The laundry pile grew,
The toys are all over,
The furniture askew.

He gives me a kiss,
Not knowing what to say,
I give him a look,
and ask about his day.

I drew in a breath,
And was turning around,
Down to the floor,
The cookies came with a pound.

He put on his coat,
grabbed his keys off the hook,
he knew what was needed,
with out a good look.

A bundle of boys,
And a girl on his back,
He drove off into night,
And came home with a sack.

My eyes-how the twinkled,
My giggles so merry,
I chugged down my drink,
A coke with some cherry.

My droll little mouth,
Was puckered up like a bow,
I gave him some kisses,
I think ten in a row.

The crunch of a cookie,
I heard under my feet,
Told me to get busy,
And whip up treat.

I fed all the kids,
cleaned up the floor,
put the sweets in the oven,
and closed the door.

No makeup on my face,
And a overfull belly,
I took a look at my shirt,
Is that smeared jelly?

He was chubby and plump,
A right jolly boy,
and I laughed when I saw him,
chomp down on a toy.

Soon the was another,
boy wanting my lap,
One on each side,
And a girl who could clap.

We spoke soft words,
As we sat and cuddled,
I love these moments,
When we are snuggled.

The house is a mess,
The dishes aren’t done,
The kids haven’t bathed,
But we did have some fun.

I whisper I love you,
As they drift off and dose,
A rub to their soft cheeks,
And a kiss on the nose.

I sneak out the door,
And turn off the light,
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas without Her


This will be our first Christmas without my mother. The Christmas Season was her favorite time of the year. The halls were all decked, the trees were lit up, the potato sacks where hung by the chimney with great care. The house smelled of Oliebollen, Peanut Brittle, Homemade suckers, & Peanut Butter Popcorn. We as kids we were all suited up and sent out into the snow for hours of play. LOVE was in the air.
My mom spent hours upon hours making Christmas gifts, Barbie doll tents with clothes, G.I Joe sleeping bags, Place mats, & New Pajama’s to be opened on Christmas Eve. I fell asleep many December nights to the hum of her Bernina sewing machine coming from the room above me. LOVE was in the air.
My mom always had a gift for everyone, Nieces & Nephews, Great Nieces & Great Nephews, distant cousins, people she visit taught and neighbors; many times I would ask her “Who are those gifts for?” and her reply would be “These are for those who might stop by that I don’t have a gift for”. If the Savior himself were to stop buy, our house would be in a flurry but she would have a gift. Her greatest gift was always an open heart and willing hands. LOVE was in the air.
My dad always tried to play the Grinch at Christmas time, but he never fooled me. He may watch the movie every night from the 1st up until Christmas Eve, but he was always the first one snooping, peaking and shaking all the gifts under the trees, sneaking treats out of the kitchen, or finding some mistletoe and following my mom around the house trying to get more smooches. LOVE was in the air.
Christmas at our house was always so magical. Whether you lived at home or were thousands of miles away rest assured, Christmas would be unforgettable. Hand made Marshmallow guns were assembled, ammunition was near, places of fortification were acquired, and firing would commence. Of course mom would be in the center of it all. The puffs of marshmallows would be whizzing by in all directions and there she would be laughing to tears in complete and utter joy. LOVE was in the air.
I am sad because I Cannot hear her laugh, because I cannot call her and tell her that her grandson got straight A’s, that her Granddaughter said something hilarious, that Rooster has on obsession with Peter Pan and wants to change his name, That I cannot send her a picture of her new little grandson, her namesake Baby “J” and tell her that he has her blue eyes. I may be sad but I am rejoiced because I know I will see her again, I will laugh and cry and be merry with her once more, because LOVE is in the air.
“For God so LOVED the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him, should not perish, but have Everlasting Life.” LOVE is truly in the air.
You may not think that you have a lot to give this Holiday Season, whether you miss a loved one, have financial setbacks, or feel that you are all alone. Remember, LOVE is in the air.