Thu, 18 Dec 2003

bonus iv...

I have received several more versions of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Two of them are from a mother's vantage point, and I thought I'd send them on to you.

Relax - I'm **not** planning to send an iv tomorrow evening called "1 night before." 8-) BTW, thanks to many for the kind notes assuring me of your prayers.

I'll be back at you after Christmas. Unless, of course, something too good to hold on to comes my way....

Have a joy-filled Christmas!

 =^..^=  =^..^=  =^..^=   
Rob Loach in Greenville SC
Please visit http://ivman.com

One of the greatest gifts God gives is children.
In fact, God's greatest Gift came as a Child.
***

Twas The Night Before Christmas ... For Moms
by Ruth Carter-Bourdon

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With the toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh, great," muttered Mom, "now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake,
Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - the Mother's twin;
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV, and work less."
"Fantastic!" the Mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

>From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy? Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the Mom smiled, "she sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed her a tune,
As she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you,too."

The Mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's love she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving Mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
When they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you will be all right."

***
Here's one sent to me by a subscriber who's the mom of two U.S. marines.

Twas the Night Before Christmas
(A Marine version)

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see who in this house did live.

As I looked all around, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings by the fire, just boots full of sand.
On the wall hung pictures of far away lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different from any I'd seen.
This was the house of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, so I had to see more.
I walked down the hallway and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping. Silent.  Alone.
Curled up on the floor of his one bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene.
Not how I'd pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his face weathered tan.
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I had seen that night
Owed their lives to these mean willing to fight.

Soon around the nation the children would play
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They enjoyed freedom each day and all year
Because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wondering how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice.
"Santa, don't cry. This life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours. So silent. So still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
To cover this Marine from his toe to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold.
With an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.

Although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride.
For one shining moment I was the Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave, so quiet in the night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

The soldier rolled over, with a voice clean and pure,
Whispered "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi and good night.

Someone emailed me the URL of the "Urban Legend" website that tells the background of the writing of this poem and that gives the original version. Check it out:

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/soldier.asp