T'was The Night Before Christmas

The picture: Tonight, Christmas Eve, 2006

The story below: Christmas Eve, 2004.

This was my version of the proverbial Christmas letter that folks send. It was our Christmas card back in 2004, back before I was a blogaholic. I thought about updating it to make it current, but it seemed wrong somehow.

So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it and I hope some Christmas magic comes your way.

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through our house

no electronics were whirring, no TV, Gamecube, nor click of a mouse.

The family was asleep, all snug in their beds,

except for me and the voice in my head.

The voice spoke to me in a Chrismas Carol, Dickens sort of way.

It said, "Don't get cozy, I'm keeping you up 'til Christmas Day."

I whined, "Why me? What have I done?"

The voice laughed, "Don't worry, it'll be fun."

We're going to look back on this year almost complete,

so get comfortable, sit back, and prop up your feet.

"So, the voice said, "Let's talk about Kate ..."

"Oh," I brightened, "Her year was just great."

She made great grades, ran the junior class, loves track and cheer ..."

Now the voice interrupted, " And she did get her first deer."

I nodded, " Yes, and we made quite a fuss ...

since her weapon of choice was our Ford Taurus.

"Oh well, driving is over-rated and walking is good ...

and no one will notice one less deer in our neighborhood.

"Well", said the voice, "How was Emma's year?"

I replied, "Much the same, great grades, and she also loves to cheer."

"She got a deer too, but used her Nikon 55 ...

so her lucky deer is on film ... and still alive."

"Okay, " said the voice, "What about the boy?"

"Jr ?" I yawned, "He's truly a joy."

"2004 for him was soccer, football, and basketball ...

with time out for straight A's and that's not all ..."

"Yes it is!" growled the voice, " The sun's coming up."

"But, " I pleaded, "We haven't talked about Liz or the pups."

"Okay," said the voice, "... but here is fair warning,

the sky is lightening, it's almost Christmas morning."

I pondered this, how fast the night had flown,

much like the speed at which our three kids had grown.

This Christmas was the first with no toy store trips.

My eyes grew moist, but I let loose no drips.

"Snap out of it!" yelled the voice,

"Kids must grow up, they have no choice!"

"You're right, Voice, let's talk about the wife."

"This year she kept us moving through our busy life."

"She works really hard, 'cause she married a teacher."

"And", said the voice, " She's the loudest Mom in the bleachers!"

Then, from the porch, there arose such a clatter.

The voice paused, then asked, "What's the matter?"

The sound was only three pups a howling,

which slowly faded to barking and growling.

"It could be a white tail or even eight tiny reindeer,

more likely an armadillo, which the pups really fear."

"We'd better wrap this up." said the voice in my head.

"If we scare away Santa, we're both good as dead."

"Thank you Voice, for the trip down memory lane ."

"Uhm ... does talking to you mean I'm insane?"

"No, I only come around once a year,

to help you remember the moments you hold dear."

Then I heard it exclaim as I turned out the light,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night."