Every December,
The same old ritual-
Hauling old cardboard boxes and battered plastic tubs
Up the stairs
And into the living room
Dust everywhere,
But inside, oh there’s treasure:
Baubles and tinsel
Garland, plastic mistletoe, strings of lights
Failed school craft efforts of years gone by
That look… kind of… like Baby Jesus
Snow globes and angels
And something called a Schwibbogen
(which I think your Aunt Mary brought back from a trip to Europe in ’72)
Put on that old Johnny Mathis record
Where A Christmas Song never sounded smoother
Pour a glass of wine -or two
(it’ll help when the kids get to arguing over who’s turn it is to place the tree-topper)
And soak it all in
For whatever stress and worry showed face in the past eleven months,
Let it all dissolve into the ether
Make it Merry now
There’s love here
Go on, exhale and
Smile:
It’s Christmas

Ezy Reading is out every month.