'Twas the night before Megow Christmas

'Twas the night before Megow Christmas, when all through the house,

Neela had stirred every creature, the spider, the lizard, and apparently a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Gum drops stolen from gingerbread permanently stuck in Olive’s hair.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

Except for Titus who has crashed on his floor after eating 17 Airheads.

Blue box mac and cheese for dinner, and dirty dishes filling the sink,

I trip over Stevie’s stuffed raccoon collection, spilling my drink.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

Exhausted beyond belief, I didn’t care what was the matter.

Eventually I peered out of the window, aided by the phone’s built in flash,

All the while thinking, “next year, we are getting a fake tree, I’m sick of this allergy rash.”

I finally muster the energy to stand and open the door,

But get distracted by the artwork created in boogers on the kitchen floor.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

It’s Santa and he tells me that he’s in desperate need of headgear.

“A cap?” I ask. “Maybe a derby or beret that dips to the right.”

“Be Quiet!” the jolly man shouts, “I’m in search of a head mounted flashlight!"

He said, “This fog is too thick and Rudolph came down with the flu,"

“And my elves forgot to make one, simply too much to do.”

I stood pondering, desperately thinking how help Ole’ Saint Nick,

Suddenly, He and I are both startled by a loud “click”.

We peek inside to find my four favorite little people beaming in sheer delight!

“Santa” they grinned, holding out their head-lanterns from our frog hunting nights.

“Please take our lights to help you see through the fog,”

“So many kids are depending on you. So you must make it past this smog."

Santa adjusted his stance very formal and straight,

Then leaned down counting little feet, Two… Four.. Six… Eight.

“You must be the Megow children”, he addressed them quite formally,

All four of their faces looking anything but normally.

His eyes intensely scanning them forth and back,

The children became nervous, what if there were no presents in his sack.

Santa leaned down and motioned them close,

His serious face immediately changed to the one they recognized most.

“I’ve heard about you” He said smiling “your exploring and treasure hunts.”

“I’ve witnessed you acting so adoring and helping much.”

The big man came nearer and wanting to tell them a secret.

Only on the condition that they would never repeat it.

He whispered something so gently I couldn’t even hear,

Santa then gave me a wink and told me the secret wasn’t for my ear.

He stood up quickly and told them he must go,

Schedule was running behind and toys would soon be covered in snow.

The man in red jumped in his sleigh, flashlight shining bright,

He flew off singing, much to the children’s delight.

As we walked in the house, I pulled them aside,

“Please tell me the secret. I tried to let it go. I tried and I tried.”

Knowing Santa wouldn’t mind, Stevie agreed to share.

So she gently cupped her hand over my ears and under my hair.

Stevie whispered to me as we were sitting together on the floor,

“Santa said he loves us, but you love us more”.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Seth