A Christmas Poem

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.

Love Letter to Mom

Happy Bday MomThank you for letting me back in the house when I packed up my corduroy briefcase from Grandma and “ran away” from home because macaroni and cheese wasn’t on the menu that night.

How cool are you for helping me color my hair when I was 14? Except for the time we got it so wrong and you took me to the high-end salon to be sure it was fixed right.

By putting in a good word for me at your long-time employer it ultimately led me to my husband.

Passing along the special red plate tradition as a marker of an achievement or birthday made a lasting impression.

Did you know that the Irish Lullaby you used to sing to our two oldest is the Lullaby they now sing to Baby Girl?

For having the most optimistic outlook on life yet still knowing time and again how to respond to my glass half-empty rants is perfect.

When you can’t stop laughing from something being funny, I can’t seem to either.

To this day, the chicken and biscuits you made the day we brought our firstborn home from the hospital ranks among the best home-cooked meals we’ve ever had.

Despite the additional paper coming in to my house, (!) the numerous magazine and newspaper articles, coupons and deals you want to share is endearing and thoughtful.

The first person who calls me in anticipation of a good story from an event, a trip or an overall momentous occasion is you. I’m looking forward to hearing about your latest road trip.

I love that you love fashion, fun and being young.  Age is just a number and you are timeless.

O mystical radio contest winner…from the year’s supply of bubble gum in the 70’s to the Disco cruise we snorted through a few years ago, how do you do it? I can never get through!

By encouraging me to travel, try new things and be joyful about it, you have created a lifelong appreciation for what anticipation can mean. And it is priceless.

You have established yourself as the master bingo caller, VCR operator, consignment shop treasure finder, wine glass connoisseur, beef roll-up maker and rocking chair baby whisperer.

And you have always modeled what it is to be a good daughter, sister, wife and friend. And in doing so you have made it possible for my life to have more meaning.

Three Cheers for you Mom. Repeated daily.

Love, Me