The stockings might be hung by the chimney with care

But wait, three more kids’ sporting events I have to ride share

The children started winter break bickering and fighting galore

And I thought to myself “What did I stand in that Black Friday line for?”

And Daddy was stressed out by the Visa bill

And I was in heaven shopping and shopping still

When in my kitchen I felt the pressure to bake

All the other Moms made mounds of cookies to share, I must be a fake!

And the Christmas cards did not get out this year

What will friends think with no photo of my family in our vacation gear?

When in the mall parking lot there arose such a clatter

The last spot in front of the department store was such a matter!

Wait, where did I put my ugly holiday sweater?

It’s the new fad to showcase poor fashion choices of which people should know better

How many things can I cram into this week?

Where is the Tylenol, the coffee and the wine from Cedar Creek?

More rapid than eagles the years fly by

Christmas memories of my older kids’ when they were little make me sigh

Is the focus on presents, buying stuff and just “getting through”?

Or love, peace and joy to be shared with my crew?

For really how magical this time of year

There’s no need for unimportant details or frustration it’s clear

Be nice to the person in line at the store

Marvel at the music, the cheer and the good memories of yore

Make new traditions or honor the old ones

It really doesn’t matter as long as you enjoy loved ones.