'Twas the Day Before Christmas

In December 2009, Rizzo and I had been dating for just a few months so we had not yet started the routine of splitting time with different families for the holiday. I was up in Sterling with my family while she traveled down to North Carolina to be with her family.

For some reason on Christmas eve I wanted to do something special (probably just to win approval or get in good with the family) so I wrote my own version of the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' for Rizzo's younger sister, Olivia. She was 6 at the time so I thought this could be something cool to send. I emailed it out to Rizzo on Christmas Eve and she shared it with her family. I suppose the fact that we are now married with a kid means I did something right.

Now, as part of the holiday season, I'm sharing the poem with you. I don't know if anyone has anyone out there reading this has any artistic skill but I'd love to have an artist illustrate this into a book. If anyone is interested please let me know and I'd love to get that done.

I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas.

'Twas the Day Before Christmas

Twas the day before Christmas, Olivia rushed to the mall.
She new she must hurry as snow continued to fall.
 
She ran past the stores with one thing in mind.
The was only one line she needed to find.
 
The line to St. Nick, to sit on his knee.
To tell him what to bring on this Christmas eve.
 
Hundreds of children were impatient in wait.
Olivia feared she may be too late.
 
But the line it moved quickly, kids having a ball.
Olivia smiled, "I'll make it after all!"
 
She grinned once she was finally the next in the line.
But just then is when she ran out of time.
 
The Santa announced "The malls closing for snow"
"Just one more" Olivia begged.  "Please, you can't go!"
 
She felt her heart drop when she walked past the stores.
Tears swelled in here eyes as she went out the door.
 
Snow covered her shoulders while she continued to cry.
Olivia couldn't stop no matter how hard she tried.
 
"What's the matter, my dear?  Why look so sad?"
"Why its Christmas eve, it can't be that bad."
 
The voice shocked Olivia but had a comforting tone.
It didn't belong to someone she should have known.
 
Olivia turned and met the gaze of this guy.
He was fat with a beard and a gleam in his eye.
 
He was wearing blue jeans, not a red Santa suit.
He had on brown leather shoes, not big black boots.
 
"I missed seeing Santa" said Olivia "He wouldn't see me."
"Now I can't tell him what to put under my tree"
 
"What would you have said, if you had the chance?"
"Toys for yourself?  Maybe dolls that can dance?"
 
Olivia said, "Video games that are fun for my kind older brother"
"And maybe a necklace for my beautiful mother."
 
"For my dad and my sister, the same thing for them."
"A winning season for the Washington Redskins"
 
"What about you?" the man asked.  "What gift would you like?"
"Perhaps a pink dress, make-up, or a bike?"
 
"All I want is to be with my loving family"
"Just to see them smile when they look under the tree"
 
"Don't you worry, Olivia!  I'm sure you're in luck!"
"Now just one more thing, you have to wake up."
 
"WAKE UP!" shouted Ali, not at all tame.
"You must come see, Olivia, Santa Clause came!"
 
Olivia was confused as she ran down the stairs.
Had she really missed Santa or was it just a nightmare?
 
The tree was lit up and there were presents galore.
Even crazy, little Ellie plopped down on the floor.
 
Everyone opened their gifts and were filled with such glee.
Olivia saw every gift she wanted under the tree.
 
Olivia's parents looked at each other, confused.
"Did you get Holden that game?" "No, did you?"
 
Then her mom smiled, "The diamond necklace just shines"
"I can't believe you did this?"  How'd you find the time?"
 
Then Ali and her dad shouted at the same time.
"Skins season tickets on the fifty yard line!"
 
Olivia smiled knowing her family was pleased.
That's when she spotted one last gift hidden under the tree.
 
She pulled the box out and read the note quick.
"To:  Olivia" it said, "From your good friend, St. Nick."
 
"The mall may have closed before you sat on Santa's knee."
"But the fat man outside, I confess it was me"
 
"So selfless a list I've never heard from girl"
"It was the most honest and kind list I've heard in the world"
 
"So this was not on your list but is a present from me"
"Have the merriest Christmas, your good friend, S.C."
 
Olivia opened the box, leaving the paper a mess.
She found inside the most beautiful pink princess dress.
 
The dress it did twinkle as she slipped it on.
Olivia was so happy she broke into song!
 
"Look at me Santa, I'm a glorious sight!"
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"