McHenry Family Christmas Poem

So, many many years ago my mother decided she was going to start writing one of those Christmas letters. (You know the ones, those letters that people write each year about everything that has happened to them, they're family, they're pets, the mailman, their next door neighbors, and that weird guy that lives on the corner.) She would write a well thought out, usually way too long letter about the happening of the McHenry clan and fold it up (folded twice, the way a letter should never be folded) and stuff it into a store bought Christmas card. The letter was OK, not super exciting but not bad. As the years went on the letters became increasingly longer until it was just out of control.

I decided to step in.

About 5 years ago I suggested that instead of writing a letter, why not write a little Christmas poem for everyone. It would be more enjoyable to read and would still get the information out that my mother wanted to share with people. This turned into one of those instances where you suggest something and it becomes your job. I've been writing this poem for my mother every since. (Although I'm writing it, I always write it from my mothers point of view since it's technically her letter, I'm just the creative genius behind it! :) I've also convinced her that there is not need for store bought cards with a letter stuffed inside. We now get nice Christmas looking paper, poem printed on the front with nice family pictures on the back.

I'll admit I have fun doing it each year and I have yet to be dissatisfied with the results. :)

May I present to you the 2011 McHenry Family Christmas Poem:

Tis the Month before Christmas and man am I stuffed,

We just finished Thanksgiving and I sure had enough.

This year has flown by with no more than a blink.

So what happened you ask, I don't know, let me think.

I've been busier this year working each day,

And sometimes it seems I have no time to play.

I still see my grand kids in spite of this rush,

So please give me a moment right now as I gush!

"The boys" they are growing with leaps and with bounds,

And with all of their smiles there's no room for frowns.

In September their birthday's wee quite a to-do,

Celebrating Aidan who's 4 and Kieran who's 2.

"My Dog" is now Kieran's stuffed animal friend,

And when he can't find him the world might soon end.

Aidan is our ham who can put on a show,

Telling stories about a rooster who lost it's crow.

In October we watched lots of trick-or-treating,

With our Kieran the Dragon and Aidan the King.

They're both such sweet boys, I love seeing them grow,

The words "Grammy" and "Pop-pop" make my heart overflow.

And how are their parents? Dan and Anne are just fine.

Dan still loves every day with his Valentine.

Dan is teaching at Harris, third grade is his crew,

While Anne's working at home as a mother of two.

Jodi's house is now for the most part put together,

So she's spent some time in more tropical weather.

She went to the Bahamas and Mexico this year,

Traveling both times with close friends she holds dear.

It seems that her life is now on a new track.

She's been spending her free time with a young man named Jack.

They get along great and both seem quite smitten.

Could it be it's the love bug which with she's been bitten?

Marti's life just keeps getting more and more packed.

It's amazing sometimes that he brain's still intact.

Her job is a challenge that leaves her quite stressed.

You would think when she's done she would go home and rest.

But no then she goes to her church many days,

And helps out there in oh so many ways.

She's using her talents to make people feel whole.

Doing work like this is what's feeding her soul.

Dave and I had an uneventful year for a change.

I'll admit that no drama to talk about seems strange.

Our health has been good and we're both doing well,

And we hope this continues into 2012.

This year we were lacking extravagant vacation,

But got away a few times each for shorter durations.

We enjoyed the escape of a few long weekends,

When we went to the mountains and the shore with our friends.

We were moochers this year so we'd like to say thanks,

To the Baron's the Pandoshes and also the Planks.

This years been a blessing of health and of fun,

So I hate to inform you I now have to run.

There's so much to do before Christmas is here,

And soon after that we celebrate the New Year.

It's nice to take this time to slow down and reflect,

And it's important to me that each year we connect.

So as we approach the big day with the New Year in sight,

I’ll say Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Here are the picture that were on the back of the poem. :)