Preparations for the holidays begin months before
But this year not much time was actually spent in a store.
Catalogs and Amazon were my favorite source for toys
And other gifts for all my family members to enjoy.
Deliverymen came often to my front porch to leave
Boxes of toys and other items for me to retrieve.
Some were hidden carefully behind a post or tree,
Close to the house but where others would not see.
I bought enough for relatives from age 2 to 81
And baked a variety of cookies and breads for everyone.
Even a family Corgi loved the baked items and treats galore
So the sweets had to be placed higher than so close to the floor.
Grandma’s house held twelve of us around the table that day.
We ate delicious food and talked and laughed and stayed
Until all the presents were opened and treasured by each one.
The food was delicious and the comraderie super fun.
It’s hard to gather the whole family for any kind of celebration –
We travelled from Portland, Las Vegas, and I drove from Ovation.
Snow began falling lightly on Christmas Day this year –
It was pretty and white and enhanced our Christmas cheer.
Then came the Big Freeze – snow, ice and then even more.
It was pretty and cold, and then hats and gloves we wore
As we shoveled our steps and sidewalks and drives
And hurried to finish our task before more snow arrived.
I got up the next morning and stepped into the shower –
At first I was warm, and then I began to cower
As I started to shiver and almost went into shock
So I quickly dried off and reached for my frock.
My water supply was icy and I learned I wasn’t alone.
Several neighbors were on Facebook or calling on the phone
And sharing our concerns and searching for a solution,
And fellow residents helped us come to a warmer conclusion.
So with help from our neighbors and friends nearby
We warmed up our bodies and said with a sigh
“How great we live in Ovation where we all help each other!”
So we can return to building snowmen or whatever we druther.
I hope you all had a Christmas as wonderful as mine
With friends and family, as shared in this yuletide rhyme.
And I wish everyone a healthy, happy, and cozy ’22
With all the best of everything for me and for you.
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