Don't dampen my spirit with your lack of cheer

– Douglas H. Everett “Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” ...

I fell asleep on a merry night

My thoughts were about the holidays

Even though family surrounded me

Something was sorely missing

The young ones wanted Christmas cheer

But having seen many an Xmas past

I could not muster but a whimper

And a bah-humbug

The holiday, now become so commercialized

Held no, ho ho ho or jingling of bells

The spell is broken, no Xmas for me

Midnight between eve and Christmas dawned

A mighty shaking and rattling commenced

"Begone ghost of holidays past, of you I am not afraid"

"You need not fear me". Chimed a childlike voice

Alas, to me an innocent child is sent

"What can you tell me that I do not already know,

Little one with newly earned angel wings".

"Why does one so young, have chains that rattle so"?

"The chains are not mine, but yours to break,

Tis your heart which you hear rattling aloud".

I look down, and surely there wrapped around my heart

Are chains linked in solidarity, squeezing at my chest

"You see, the chains are not about the holidays,

They are a metaphor for the weight within you".

"Come and see"! Wow! I am being Scrooged, I thought

We moved to the window, the chain felt lighter

"You have done some good works along the way".

"Oh, but some of those are of the naughty kind,

Like that one over there, for instance", I cringed.

"The good outweighs the bad, you are human after all,

You err every now and then, none among you are perfect".

"You are so wise for your age". I foolishly retorted.

"How silly of me. You are also a metaphor of time.

Are you not"?

The child smiled in appreciation of my understanding

Of a much deeper meaning to her admonishments"

"Holidays are not about you, per se

It is a time to reflect, spread love, cheer and a bit of joy

Pain and suffering abound everywhere

Take a little time all year round to reach out a kind hand

Give a listening ear to someone lost and alone

Write your stories

If only one single person appreciates it, be thankful

Someone found a message that may lift their heart

So, forget yourself. If the young ones need a little cheer

Pin a star upon the highest bough, and help them find

Their ho, ho, ho and a jingle in their bells

Remember, never limit yourself

because of others limited imagination

And turn it around

It goes both ways"!

The chains fell off, I breathe a relieved sigh.

No one will oust my ho, ho, ho. And to you.....

A good night!