Christmas Eve Greeting 2022

'twas the night before Christmas,

as once more dimmed the light,

of all but the twinkle,

on the tree in the night.

I sat in the glow,

and the silence all round,

ignoring the mess,

yet to clean on the ground,

of paper and ribbon,

of markers and tape,

of boxes to wrap,

and bags still agape.

I paused, there in silence,

and let still my hands,

setting aside,

remaining demands.

Then rose up to startle,

the nodding guard-cat,

who'd dozed at her post,

by the gifts where she sat.

Round house on tiptoe,

I carefully crept,

whilst my boys full of wishes,

quietly slept.

A careful kiss planted,

on each slumbering cheek,

then back to the "workshop",

my footsteps would sneak,

where the magic of Christmas,

was mine to create,

with presents and stockings,

though the hour was late.

Each special gift chosen,

and wrapped up with care,

full stockings to show,

that St. Nick had been there.

The plateful of cookies,

a nibble or two,

then one final sweep,

and my workday was through.

The guard-cat assuaged,

with a treat of her own,

she settled to wait,

in the darkness, alone.

Then sure that I'd done,

all I could for the night,

I slipped into bed,

on my phone here to write.

The peace and the quiet,

were just gift enough,

to soften the edges,

of a year that'd been rough.

I found, as I sat,

in that moment to write,

that those things that had bothered,

were somehow gone right,

for the tree, and the gifts,

for those boys in their bed,

I'd not have it changed,

wanted nothing instead.

The meaning of Christmas,

was there all along,

though sometimes the days,

had all seemed to go wrong.

Of challenges faced,

and new lessons learned,

of moments we'd faltered,

before pages were turned,

My mother-heart full,

of memories made,

I let out a sigh,

from the bed where I'd laid.

And I whispered so softly,

as I turned off my light,

"Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night..."

~Wishing each of you: the joy of the holiday season...the warmth of friendship and family...and the merriment of moments so bright they drown out the dark!