So the first book to read to kids is really a poem by Ogden Nash (and yes, I got the title wrong above but I always do that with this poem). I've included it at the bottom of this post because I get such a kick out of it and of reading it to the under 10 set.
Christmas just hasn't been the same without my mom. Everyone says it will get easier. I am not so sure. She LOVED Christmas and kept the family together. Now I guess that falls to me and yet without kids of my own it can be hard to get us all together. Of the three of us only one has kids, and if truth be told (and why not, I don't think they read this blog) it is hard for me to be around his kids. It makes me sad for what I'm not able to have. It makes my heart happy to be around the kids but sad to know that it something I will never have, that my body betrayed me and that there is nothing I can do but deal with it the best I can.
The home I grew up in was always the happiest during this time of year. In recent years as my mom became sicker and then as she passed, Christmas became a bittersweet time for all of us I think. I decorate and love the house at this time of year but it makes me think of how my mom decorated; and if I am honest, sometimes the twinkle of the lights and the sounds of Christmas music make me nostalgic for what was. The memories are bright; like they just occurred yesterday. I am blessed to have them as so many don't. I was blessed to have her in my life, and even more so to have been her daughter and for that I thank God each day.
So, this post ended up being more depressing than what was intended! Sorry about that!
Anyway, here is the poem I mentioned in my list:
| The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus by Ogden Nash | ||
| In Baltimore there lived a boy. He wasn't anybody's joy. Although his name was Jabez Dawes, His character was full of flaws. In school he never led his classes, He hid old ladies' reading glasses, His mouth was open when he chewed, And elbows to the table glued. He stole the milk of hungry kittens, And walked through doors marked NO ADMITTANCE. He said he acted thus because There wasn't any Santa Claus. Another trick that tickled Jabez Was crying 'Boo' at little babies. He brushed his teeth, they said in town, Sideways instead of up and down. Yet people pardoned every sin, And viewed his antics with a grin, Till they were told by Jabez Dawes, 'There isn't any Santa Claus!' Deploring how he did behave, His parents swiftly sought their grave. They hurried through the portals pearly, And Jabez left the funeral early. Like whooping cough, from child to child, He sped to spread the rumor wild: 'Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes There isn't any Santa Claus!' Slunk like a weasel of a marten Through nursery and kindergarten, Whispering low to every tot, 'There isn't any, no there's not!' The children wept all Christmas eve And Jabez chortled up his sleeve. No infant dared hang up his stocking For fear of Jabez' ribald mocking. He sprawled on his untidy bed, Fresh malice dancing in his head, When presently with scalp-a-tingling, Jabez heard a distant jingling; He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof Crisply alighting on the roof. What good to rise and bar the door? A shower of soot was on the floor. What was beheld by Jabez Dawes? The fireplace full of Santa Claus! Then Jabez fell upon his knees With cries of 'Don't,' and 'Pretty Please.' He howled, 'I don't know where you read it, But anyhow, I never said it!' 'Jabez' replied the angry saint, 'It isn't I, it's you that ain't. Although there is a Santa Claus, There isn't any Jabez Dawes!' Said Jabez then with impudent vim, 'Oh, yes there is, and I am him! Your magic don't scare me, it doesn't' And suddenly he found he wasn't! From grimy feet to grimy locks, Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box, An ugly toy with springs unsprung, Forever sticking out his tongue. The neighbors heard his mournful squeal; They searched for him, but not with zeal. No trace was found of Jabez Dawes, Which led to thunderous applause, And people drank a loving cup And went and hung their stockings up. All you who sneer at Santa Claus, Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes, The saucy boy who mocked the saint. Donner and Blitzen licked off his paint.  |
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