The After Shock of Christmas!

Well, another holiday season down! I thought I would inject a little humor into the recall of my family holiday get together. That way I won't seem quite so snarky about the whole thing!

'Twas the Saturday after Christmas, and all through Mom's place

I was dreading the day, it was evident on my face.

The wind was gusting at sixty miles per hour,

I was thinking we'd have to cancel, if we lost all the power;

The noodles were boiling and the spuds they were too,

While visions of flood warnings danced on the tube;

With Mom in the front room, and me in the back,

I told her to call my brother, to keep this day on track,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away blew the trash can, it was gone like a flash,

It tore through the neighbors patio and landed with a smash.

The dog started barking at a ruckus in the street,

Three family members had arrived, so I ran around to greet,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

Was my Aunt toting gifts, even though we said "none" this year.

I took my time, I moved nice and slow,

She had brought one of her friends, and my niece was in tow.

More rapid than snails they walked in the door,

I gave a "hello", and went back to my chore;

they said "Merry Christmas, Here is more food"

"What time will your bro be here with the rest of his brood?"

"No one can tell, I prepared this food to be done at four,

So fill up your plates, or I'll chuck it out the door!"

And only twenty minutes late, through the door they did shove,

It had to be a miracle, straight from above!

We sat around and ate, and chatted it up,

Then I brewed up some java, and we all had a cup.

Soon it was time to open the loot,

Everyone had something that was small and quite cute.

We sat and watched the news, that's as exciting as we get,

Then we watched a slide show of Grandma, so we wouldn't forget.

She always loved Christmas, and without her it's not comparable,

When she looks down us now, it's probably unbearable!

Our eyes -- they grew heavy, it was time to end this night,

So I packed up the leftovers, in containers real tight.

"Who wanted this" and "What with that should I do",

"Someone pick up the trash"...and then right on cue;

"This holidays done, Christmas cheer...I just can't",

"I'm leaving right now" said my grumpy old Aunt!

With a quick little hug to each and every one,

Into the night she went, she'd had enough of the fun.

I looked at my brother, he was rolling his eyes,

And I laughed when I saw him, to me this was no surprise!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

I knew right away, he wanted to get home to bed;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Loading the car; then turned with a jerk,

"Sydney get going, the roads could be bad',

And giving a nod, she hugged dear old Dad;

He sprang back to the house, to his wife gave a whistle,

And towards the front door they flew, fast as a missile!

But I heard him exclaim, as he walked through the yard,

"Cass I'll call you tomorrow, Cheryl get in the car!"