Christmas Memories

It was the day before Christmas and all through the land

Having insomnia was not part of my plans

So I with my laptop, think back to when

To remember Christmas, way back then

The wish-book was thrown on every front porch

With ideas inside to light up the torch

We would look through and dog-ear the pages

There were toys for all and for all ages

My father would clip lights onto the eaves

In hope that the light bulbs would work, please

But every year it was no surprise

Off to hardware store for more supplies

Inside the house my mother reigned supreme

Hanging garland on every expose beam

She sang Christmas songs and it was smooth sailing

She even had garland wrapped around the stairway railing

The tree was trimmed and nailed to the floor

Because my dad didn't want to fight with it anymore

My mother joyfully filled every open space

With tinsel and bows and frilly lace

My dad sat back drinking coffee with cream

Pretending not to notice that the tree had a lean

He had just reclined to take a nap

Mumble the words, would you look at all this crap

The smell of Christmas filled the air

Bake goods and candy everywhere

There was only one rule and the one thing you couldn't choose

Keep your hands off your Dad's can of cashews

But once in a while when he was in his chair asleep

Slowly I'd slitter to take a little peek

Surely he couldn't hear me pry open the lid

Inside that can my little hand slid

I know now but I wished I knew then

Having a cashew allergy would eventually bite me in the end

But that salty buttery goodness was such a delight

If I just had one that would be alright

The house was filled Christmas music

My mother would help them sing

We had the Carpenters, Andy

Perry and of course Bing

We kids would sit at the kitchen table

Crafting things that we were able

With paint, paper, glitter and glee

The floor was littered with paper snow flake debris

Seeing my father waking up from his nap

My mother would put the tube on in a snap

My dad would watch a three channel TV

There was nothing but snow and the guide was a tree

When the Christmas eve was upon us we'd go to bed

But we'd hide on the stairway and listen for hear Santa instead

My mother always wise to our schemes

Would peak around the corner, oh how we screamed

Now you kids get back to bed , I don't want to hear a peep

Santa will know if you don't sleep

We would lay in our wool blanket cocoon

In hope that morning would come real soon

The sun peaked through a frosted window

The sounds of rustling from the living room below

Woke us from our slumber

and down the stairs we'd lumber

It was Christmas morning.

The tree was a glittering beacon of hope

Hope was a wrapped gift under a needleless tree

It was a picture of joy, of love, of glee

Within five minutes the room was a big paper ball

Ribbons and bows thrown from wall to wall

Mom and Dad in a Christmas camouflage on the couch

Drinking coffee trying not to pass out

The room was filled with kid in pj's

Each on the the floor with new games and toys to play

The smell of breakfast filled the air

A home filled with love and so many memories to share

Merry Christmas everyone. Take a moment today to remember and share.