The holidays are filled with so much activity that it’s a challenge to stay in the present moment and enjoy the simple pleasures, such as seeing the snow geese return to the fields. In December 2021, I told my husband that we should skip the holiday madness in 2022 and take a trip by ourselves. Thus, I wrote “Ode to the Holidays.” This year, we didn’t host as many guests. We ate cookies someone else baked. We took our dog Gracie on long winter walks.
In the spirit of the season, here’s hoping you enjoy the column printed on Christmas Eve 2021.
It was the night before Christmas and all through the house
The whole world was sleeping except mama mouse.
She had filled all the stockings, wrapped all the gifts,
Hosted her friends, and vacuumed the house.
She addressed cards, baked cookies and decorated the tree
Hubby ran to the store for butter, sugar and chamomile tea!
The season of giving has left them both weary
The Hallmark movies were phony and dreary.
Santa needs cookies to finish the task
Grandpa wants whiskey to fill up his flask.
It’s time to go nighty-night, please can we sleep
Soon they’ll be cheery and stomping their feet.
But what to my wondering eyes do I see
There’s a wee small package staring at me.
Just open it, honey! Cried this loving spouse
It’s just what you wanted, I’m not such a louse.
You asked for world peace and an end to this virus
That we still have our health and no weather crisis.
You asked Santa for equity, fairness, and more
Help for the homeless, food for the poor.
I can’t give you everything. Lord knows, I’ve tried.
Now open it. Open it. I’m so very tired.
The stockings were tied to the mantel with bows
No hooves on the rooftops, in stupor she rose.
Next year, said hubby, we’re not staying here.
No madness, no cooking, there’s nothing to fear.
I’ve booked us a cruise. Leave the family behind
Next Christmas we’ll be happy, giddy and kind.
What do my wondering ears do I hear?
What’s wrong, what’s the matter, he looked at my tears.
No thank you, my darling, my dear Santa fox.
Nothing important can come in a box.
A Christmas without chaos isn’t Christmas at all
Even Grinch understood he could still have a ball.
What about grandkids, our nephews and nieces?
Our neighbors, our sisters, leave our loved ones in pieces?
Some people have no one to share this delight
We need to be grateful for chaos, not flights.
Let’s go to bed quickly and think of a reason
To celebrate, feel grateful for all we’ve been given.
So off to bed and soon we were snoring
So Santa could come, lest it be morning!
Merry Christmas! Have a happy new year!
To all of you reading, I want to be clear:
Thank you for reading my columns galore
Thank you for saying you’ll read a few more!
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Lisa Graff's essays have appeared in Woman's World Magazine and the Washington Post. She resides in Lewes, Delaware. Reach her at lgraff1979@gmail.com. Find her on Facebook: Our Senior Yearbook: Cape Gazette, Twitter: @lisajgraff1 and her website: lisajgraff.com.
