Let us not forget...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie, flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
she descended the stairs, and saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat."

The mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes,
same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust,
she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy,
watch The Young & the Restless."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered.
"My dream come true! "I'll shop. I'll read.,
I'll sleep a whole night through!"

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
"Mommy?! I scared... and I 'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.

"You the best mommy ever. " I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's love, she's trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,"
Only one loving mother, is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
"Thank you, Santa, " for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old, for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right."
-author unknown

Click the link below for a wonderful Christmas story
In Search of the Christmas Spirit

May we all strive to remember why we are here at this time, and to whom we owe our greatest thanks for all that has been given us. And then with gratitude in our hearts may we go forth in the true spirit of Christmas, taking upon ourselves His name and loving and serving our fellow men.

"The magic of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His presence."

As mothers, our daily lives might not be grand and glorious. Our days are more often filled with cooking, cleaning, tending sick children, suffering from lack of sleep, laundry, laundry, and more laundry, crumbs on the floor, sticky hands and faces, spills, little ones crying, fighting, and throwing tantrums in public. But for a second, let's just ignore all of those things, pretend they don't exist, and see what is left. When I think about what I am left with, it is more than I ever asked for. And then instead of thinking about all the things that are difficult in life, first let us think about everything else we have been blessed with.

I have been given so much.

And so have you.

Let us not forget....