Merry Christmas!

'Twas two weeks before Christmas, there were finally decorations in the house

“You’re kind of a Grinch” lovingly said my sweet spouse

Braving the stores for groceries, presents and toys

Wasn’t quite the same with my three busy boys.

My once tidy home is now a pig sty,

Rescue helicopters and block towers over 4 feet high.

When but for a moment the family room is pretty and clean…

Then shards of broken ornaments are added to the scene.

We’ve had a bloody nose and near-stitches at the insta-care

Because according to the boys, “the other wasn’t playing fair.”

What will I do when Christmas break is upon us?

And I can’t send my preschooler to the

“big school with a bus?”

Life is busy here, since having our third,

The boys still get treats when in toilet there’s a turd.

Survival mode is the norm this holiday season,

And hanging up garland doesn’t have a good reason.

I started this season with a prayer in my heart,

hoping that peace, joy, and love would play some small part.

I doubted the validity of this seemingly impossible plea,

But hoped that the spirit of Christmas would find a small space in me.

Miraculously the joys of the season came

As we filled our home with soft music and made the Savior our aim.

Giving not getting is always the key,

And sometimes that giving is giving more of me.

Real Joy is found in the decorating the gingerbread train,

And in cuddling while watching snow, sleet, and rain.

It’s the reindeer running circles around each other,

And the sticky candy cane hands on each brother.

It’s giving up order, it’s giving up clean,

It’s sacrificing the eating to be fit and lean.

It’s volunteering in Primary and feeding Andrew who cuddles into me, instead of sitting with friends or visiting with family.

It’s holding my Grandmother and petting her hair, applying lip stick and jewelry when her rest is so near.

It’s congratulating my Dad on his exciting new life,

and welcoming Leny as his brand new wife.

The magic of the season entered into my heart

As I allowed our Savior to play His part.

And with a smile and eyes shining bright,

I say: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all clear insight!”

(Chat GBT) 

'Tis two weeks before Christmas, decorations finally in the house

“You’re kind of a Grinch” 

lovingly said my sweet spouse

Braving the stores for groceries, 

presents, and toys

Wasn’t quite the same 

with three busy boys.

 

My once tidy home is now a pig sty,

Rescue helicopters and block towers 

over 4 feet high. 

When but for a moment 

the family room is pretty and clean…

Then shards of broken ornaments 

are added to the scene.

 

We’ve had bloody noses, 

near-stitches, and tears,
As the boys fight with words 

(and sometimes with spears).
“What will I do

when Christmas break is here,
And I can’t send my children

to school? Oh dear!”

 

Life is a whirlwind 

since our third little guy,
Still, they bring joy 

with each giggle and sigh.

Survival mode reigns this holiday season,
As hanging up garland

seems lacking in reason.

 

I began this season 

with a prayer in my heart,
Wishing for peace, joy, 

and love to take part.
I doubted the hope 

of this far-fetched plea,
But still, 

hoped the Spirit would find space in me.

 

 

Miraculously 

the joys of the season came

As we filled our home with soft music 

and made the Savior our aim. 

Giving not getting is always the key,

And sometimes that giving 

is giving more of me. 

 

Real joy is found in setting up the train,
And cuddling close

watching snow, sleet, and rain.
It’s the boys wearing bells, pretending to fly,
‘Reindeer’ running in circles, 

laughter nearby.
And sticky candy cane hands 

smudging each brother,
As they run wildly chasing each other. 

 

It’s giving up order, it’s giving up clean,

It’s sacrificing the eating to be fit and lean.

It’s volunteering in Primary, 

Andrew cuddling into me,

And loving the chaos that’s bound to be.

 

It’s holding my Grandmother, 

petting her hair, 

applying lip stick and jewelry 

when her rest is so near.

It’s congratulating my Dad 

on his exciting new life,

and welcoming Leny 

as his brand new wife.

 

The Miracle of Christmas 

entered into my heart

As I allowed our Savior 

to play His sacred part. 

So with a smile, and eyes shining bright, 

I say: “Happy Christmas to all, 

and to all clear insight!”

 

By Robin Ball, 2013