Dec. 25, 2019

Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Another reminder that you won’t be there.

The children are grown so they’re not in their beds

The office and guest room lay empty instead

While I’m in my kerchief you’re not in your cap

My chore list’s too crazy for long winter’s naps

When up in my brain there arose such a clatter,

I tossed and I turned and I wondered what mattered

Away to the past my mind went like a flash,

Tore open the memories of our Christmases past

The moon shining bright on your side of the bed

Your soft snoring gone; deadly silence instead

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

Not a miniature sleigh or eight tiny reindeer,

But a newsreel of images vivid and quick

Like you, dressed as Santa, to play old St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles the stories they came

I savored them each as I called them by name

The first Christmas morning our son held a box

Acting thrilled with each gift whether toys or just socks

Small plastic pieces without good directions

Two am battles with bikes still in sections

First babies, next toddlers, then boys with new bikes

On Christmas, on birthdays, you knew what we liked

From a Christmas tree wired to the living room wall

So a brave little boy climbing high didn’t fall

To working two jobs to buy shin guards and cleats

Driving miles to support both his wins and defeats

Your eyes how they twinkled, your laughter so merry

Now life here without you seems empty and scary

The beard on your chin that was sprinkled with snow

That waited till fifty before it would grow

In the blink of an eye you were gone like St. Nick

But remembering you here does a magical trick

The love that we shared and the life that we lead

Will remain safe and sound in my heart and my head

Though the pain and the joy are all mixed up together

Christmas memories with you can still last forever

I can just hear your voice as the tears cloud my sight

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night”