Day 12
“Daddy! Bring us
a ‘surprise’---Pleeease!...and,
he would bring
us a cup of Kool-Aide with
either a piece
of cheese or bologna
Yuk! Oh! No!
Not---that! Bedtime! A kid’s worst
waking nightmare! Worse than a…bath!
I
empathized with my children---some say…too much. I just never forgot being “a
kid”!
Almost
as painful as the dreaded last call for “beddy-bye” was the intrusive “dinner”
call.
Seemed
that every time I was involved in some grand event trying my best to create an
adventure out of it, Mom would yodel, “Supper”! “Drat!” Another episode
delayed.
So,
when my progeny came along, I just naturally understood their thought processes
and, also, quite naturally, sympathized with them. Part of that truth, at
least, is: I still hate bedtime!
Each
night, after Nanny scolded, threatened, cajoled and finally laid-down-the-law,
for the very last time, I’d reluctantly relent and tell our wards the fatal
words: Bed time! Get!
Then,
I came up with a scheme to advance the sentence for another half hour---a…Surprise!
Nanny
would get the rambunctious rascals herded into bed, they’d say their night
prayers, she’d turn off the lights and say “Good night!”
A
few minutes later---enter Daddy…stage “saved”.
Raiding
the refrigerator, I’d rustle up two cups of Cherry Kool-Aide and a piece of
cheese or bologna and head for the girls’ bedrooms. Beth would already be off
to slumber land but awoke easily enough
for her “snack”; daughter Becky seemed to expect the distraction---she was
awake.
Nanny
caught on---quick enough! She couldn’t fault the girls; she wouldn’t even
try---me.
Soon,
Beth caught on; no more quick “sandman” heavy eyes; Becky had it down “pat”!
To
soothe Nanny, I finally made a joke out of the whole charade. As Mom turned off
the lights for the night duration, I’d decree in “Royal” fiat: Your surprise
tonight---is..No surprise!
To
this faux admonition, I’d get excited giggles as the girls awaited my return
with the “goodies”; Nanny just shrugged at her “little” boy’s irreverent
recalcitrance. Boys will be boys!
Each
night, for years on end, we played our little game of bedtime “No surprise!”
I
know and fully understand why parents spoil their children---its great fun to
show…Love!
You
know? I might one day just openly confess to my “practiced” little boy
transactions!
Sure
has been a wild ride---fun…no wonder I really believe that I am: Santa Claus!
Ah! Cookie Jar
Sweet Memories!
Plus:
Christmas Eternal
Yonder midnight
velvet pierced by gleaming white-bright star
Comes salvation,
rustic stable manger, kingdom not afar
Softly fallen glow
reflects on humble newborn baby’s face
Receive His heavenly
blessing, accept our Holy Spirit’s grace
Little girls dream
magic life where enchanted princess dance
Boy sails emerald
crested Irish Sea to beckon sweet romance
There be I just
southward of high sun at noon
Slight distant shadow
westward of opaline full moon
Could only I in small
measure save one innocent loving tender child
Would I then shelter
fearsome storm to proclaim dark day quite mild
His word His deed
example guide for Christian life invited sanction
“What can I do?”
hollow offer be, without perform thou holy action
He has already loved
me more than His own human life
Undeserving respite
from defeated rampant savage strife
But rather joy as I
with purpose announce exotic other
Loving family circle
embrace this Infant, Father, Holy Mother
Pristine snow shall
melt then fade, destiny fulfilled when it did start
Survive eternal truth
and love through Jesus’ own sweet precious heart
Innkeeper to rough
lodging sent holy Savior he did not know
Sees you Christ as
judgement waits - Is it He whom you do show?
“Why can’t everyday
be Christmas?” queried crooner gospel king
Oh! But it is for
each who makes it so. I pray, you hear His angels sing
Merry Christmas 2008
Carl and Candy
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