‘Twas the day after New Year’s,
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
we’d just trapped the last mouse.
Dishes and dirty laundry strewn here and there,
in hopes that our teenagers would begin to care.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
with white noise machines humming next to their heads.
Dad in his slippers, I still in my clothes
had just settled down to hopefully doze.
When out in the hallway there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away from my bedroom I flew like a flash,
tripped over clean laundry, hit the floor with a smash.
When what to my weary eyes should appear
but a miniature bed wetter, a distraught little dear.
My little darling might end up sick.
He needed dry jammies, I must act quick.
More rapid than eagles, my resolve came.
I must sort this laundry, I gave each basket a name.
Now Rachel! Now Krystal!
Noelle and Jaala!
On, Andre! On, Eli!
On Jacob and Samuel!
To the top of the dresser, baskets stacked up the wall
Fold them away! Hang them away!
Put them away all!
As dry sheets that before the wild clothes line fly,
when they meet with a child who will not stay dry.
So down to the laundry room I flew,
with a basket of wet laundry, and my little one too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the stairs
the tip-toeing of feet without grown-up cares.
As I started the washer and was turning around,
into the kitchen, my children came with a bound.
They were dressed head to toe,
Not a matching one in the bunch,
they wanted to skip breakfast
and go straight to lunch.
Their eyes how they twinkled, their giggles how merry,
the exhaustion inside me did not tarry.
I spoke not a word but went straight to my work,
warmed last night’s pizza and sighed like a jerk.
Then remembering my blessings who were standing right there,
I checked my attitude and gave a good long stare.
They are perfectly perfect in every way,
so with that realization in mind, I gratefully started New Years Day.
One day they’ll be grown and move out of sight.
Dishes and laundry will be done and I’ll sleep tight.
Happy New Year to all!
Try to get some sleep tonight.
How was your New Year’s Eve? Share with us in the comment section!
