Christmas of Old

The Children’s Toyland opened

In December at the store

It’s when the spirit was ignited

And not a day before.

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Santa’s parade on the downtown streets

For us kids, what a wonderful day!

Sipping hot chocolate on the cold roadside

Awaiting the big man in the sleigh.

--

Then our house was decorated

With fancy garland and twinkling lights

Fat snowflakes filled the darkened sky

Making everything so bright.

--

‘Twas a family celebration

The day we chose the tree

Dad cut it down and tied it to the car

With help from my brothers and me.

--

We took it home and trimmed the branches

Then strung on all the lights

That’s when we knew the day was close

Just one or two more nights.

--

There were no decorations

Or presents placed underneath

For that was Santa’s job, we were told

On Christmas we would see.

--

We went to bed on Christmas Eve

With excitement in our eyes

Never forgetting to leave a snack

For the jolly old elf, so wise.

When we woke up in the morning

This little girl and her two sibling boys

There were sparkling ornaments on the tree

And brand new shiny toys.

--

The smell of roasting turkey

Wafted through our home, so thick

As I played with my new dolls, and puzzles

And the boys with their hockey sticks.

--

When we all sat down to dinner

Our Mom would first say grace

And because it was now Christmas day,

One sip of wine, we could taste.

--

When the feast had ended

And the cleanup was complete

It was time to don our new Holiday best

For the traditional family meet.

--

At our grandparents house it happened

For every Christmas supper

Aunts, uncles, and cousins all came

And for pictures, we’d all pucker.

--

Then the men played cards in the front room

The women chatted in the kitchen

The kids ate candy, and played our games

Of tag, arm wrestling, and chicken.

Now I look around my own home

And there’s not a sign in sight

That Christmas may be coming soon

It seems it’s just not right.

--

I can’t find motivation

Or desire to even start

I know it’s not too early

Am I just a grumpy old fart?

--

It’s not that I don’t want to

But this Christmas seems so hard

I think I’m surely missing,

The old ways in my heart.