So, that was Christmas

Goodbye, Birthdays… Hello, Christmas!

That’s how it typically goes in our family.

Lounge-room furniture’s shoved aside, out of its cosy nest

The Tree is assembled, each branch arranged artistically

With garlands of tinsel and coloured lights spiralling downward

Outstretched arms drip in decorations so sparkly

A hotchpotch of old and new; shop bought and handmade

Aesthetically beautiful or treasured for nostalgia.

Next, my daughter’s focus zeroes in on unsuspecting Snowy.

Before its lights blink once, her cute Nissan Micra

Has morphed into a Christmas-mobile, bright and showy.

Sporting both reindeer antlers and Christmas trees

A red nose on highly ornamented body and windows

They spark spontaneous smiles from adults and kiddies

As they zip around corners and along winding streets and roads.

*

I detest crowds and shopping, avoiding them at all cost

Just as well the family each select their own present

Leaving me to cough up the dollars, or all would be lost…

Instructed to make sure I wrapped everything decent

I spent hours wrapping piles of books for my daughter

Few of which I bought her!

I like to save trees… and money

Frugally, secondhand gift bags were put to good use

Plus, I only used a dozen satin pillowcases, which I find funny

True, I wrapped up the despised Secret Santa tee shirt as a bit of a ruse

When got unwrapped, it was hurled across the room

Like a bomb ready to go, Kaboom!

*

Amidst all this chaos and kerfuffle

Carols nights and church services were interwoven

With homemade cake, lollies and pizza in the shuffle.

Christmas Day made its grand entrance, on the day that’s been chosen

We celebrated with family and friends

Then bid it Farewell until July November next year…

Perpetual motion… round and round, it never ends

Jesus Christ’s ‘birthday’ might be over, but rest assured, he’s always near.

*

I even squeezed in a festive parkrun first thing, along with nearly 500 other crazy energetic people, plus some playful ‘puppies’.

Meanwhile, Mia — our elderly ‘kitten’ — determinedly wormed her way in under the Christmas tree, despite the ‘Full House’ of presents rudely parked in her special spot. Will the removal of her favourite only indoor tree be the end of her? She’s already used up 13 of her lives in the past 17 years! Surely her people will find it in their hearts to leave it there for the eighteenth year of her life!

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