‘Twas the evening of Christmas and all through the house
The fam’ly was scattered – parents, children and spouse.
Two of the boys played piano duets
While the third read a book and arranged the chess set.
My parents unwound with some reading online
As my husband and I shared a glass of red wine.
Our niece and two nephews, pure cuteness delight,
With my sis and her husband had left for the night.
A huge pot of soup cooled out back in the snow
To feed the whole clan for the next day or so.
The break in routine from our day-to-day rush
Provided our souls with a much-needed hush.
This gave me a moment to pause and reflect
On the stresses and beauty allowed to collect
In my mind, in my heart, in my thoughts every day,
As they sift and they settle as I make my way
Throught the wishes and worries that gel in my head
From my moment of waking ’till I crash in my bed.
As a mom, as a wife, as a daughter and sis,
As a doctor and writer how often I miss
Being able to stop and just breathe and let go
And allow swirling thoughts their own ebb, swell, and flow,
Since the normal M.O. is to force them to fit
Into times in the day I’ve a moment to sit.
Fleeting worries each day, some stay longer and bother –
The health of a friend, child, mother or father,
Or husband or in-law, sibling or client –
Small or vague symptoms could mean something giant.
So I think of potentially what could be worst
And try to eliminate scary stuff first
While keeping my voice steady, even, and calm
To avoid causing others a worry or qualm.
I use logic and numbers to quell my own fears
That otherwise might induce panic or tears,
And I shove down the worries inside my own mind
As I rush here and there so I won’t get behind.
But tonight there’s no practice, no lesson, no meeting,
No meet, and no concert with first-come, first-served seating.
And although there’s now time for a fear to float through,
There’s time and there’s space for the other thoughts, too.
No need to stop music to send kids to study.
Their sounds fill my soul, and the worries don’t muddy.
My parents and children together in laughter
Send trivial matters away ever after.
Mu husband, Superman, taking it in
By my side, with a chuckle and satisfied grin
As we contemplate all the events that transpired
In the previous months when we’ve been so darn tired:
Our youngest surpassed me in height as he grew.
Our eldest has chosen a college (Go Blue!).
Our middle one’s mastered the pulling of pranks.
We sit and let open the floodgates of thanks.
The laughter, the music, the sweetness flows through
In my head, in my heart, in my soul it shines, too.
My heart takes to wing as my spirit it lifts –
My life overflows with the most splendid gifts.