Christmas Eve Day

I woke with a start
the bed creaked as I rolled over
a slight ray of light filtered into my room
AND it was cold

What day is it
yes, Christmas Eve
a day long waited for
a day so special

As I lie in bed
my breathe curled up
up to the frosty nails
on the unfinished ceiling

Quiet, oh so quiet
there is no stirring
not from the girls' room
or from downstairs

I turn to my clock
luminated in the twilight
the hands point to
twelve and to seven

Quickly I rise
put on my jeans
and tip toe down
the sometimes noisy stairs

As I open the door
the kitchen is outlined
in a pale light from
the south window

There on top
of the kitchen cupboards
are packages all
in neat rows, Mom did that

To my right my parents
bedroom door is closed
no sound there
no stirring of life

Slowly I tip toe
across the kitchen floor
plant my foot on the old crooked stool
and step up to look

This I know
is forbidden territory
for days I have dreamed
of picking up that large package

I reach for it now
cradle it in my arms
and step down
onto the linoleum floor

I turn it over
I shake it up and down
there is no sound
no hint of a hidden treasure

Then I hear the door behind
me open with a squeak
I turn to see Mom in her tattered robe
a smile across her weathered face

Then she utters those words I knew were coming
words that I do not want to hear
"Not now Carmen"
really I know I must wait until tonight

"Yes Mom" I quietly mutter
then to change the subject
"can we have pancakes with venison
for breakfast?"

The pancakes and venison are eaten
but the taste is hollow
that package, that big package
is it what I really want?

The day drags on and on
cows are milked and snow is shoveled
then finally,
after the lutefisk, lefsa and boiled potatoes

The packages come down
we sit in the living room
Dad with a grin and
Mom with a big smile

I open IT in a flash
there on my lap
is my new shiny clock radio
there is a Santa!!!

The radio wears out from use
from the Lone Ranger
to the Minnesota Twins
it entertains me for years and follow me to college

But wait, today
it is a new day and a new year and things are so different
the clock radio is long gone but memories remain
AND Christ is coming today, hallelujah!