I know we probably don't mail a Christmas letter to everyone, so here is this year's. It will probably be easier to read the closer you are to high school poetry units.
With all due apologies to Edgar Allan Poe.
Once upon a Christmas season, sitting, typing, with one reason,
Finishing the Christmas letter, mailing time is very near.
It is now the cold December, and I sit and must remember
what each sep'rate family member did throughout this recent year.
Sit and write about what each one of us did this recent year.
Read on if you want to hear.
I am still at Central teaching freshman students sometimes reaching
up to pull my hair out when they cannot use apostrophes.
Springtime coaching softball again, coached eight games and managed five wins
Although fun it mostly has been through with coaching I will be.
Want to spend more time with my girls Annie Joan and Natalie
Want to just be their daddy.
Amy took a job at Central helping with a student when he'll
work which isn't often but she thinks it's okay on most days.
Took a class on our computer after bedtime's when she viewed her
lessons and managed to do ter-rific work and get straight A's.
Doesn't miss being in college but still manages straight A's.
Class was over on Wednesday.
Natalie is still a smartie had a nice sixth birthday party
then in September she started her school year in the first grade.
Reading books like Magic Tree House, Stuart Little about a mouse,
Reads 'em all to me and my spouse, soccer this fall she has played.
Loves her school, her teacher and friends, and in Brownies she has stayed.
Now for chores she's being paid.
Annie goes to preschool again, one more year to kindergarten
Loves to spend her free time with her grammie who takes care of her.
Dressing up in princess costumes, col'ring pictures in her bedroom,
Charming people the bulk of whom their child they wish she were.
Still my tiny girlie girl who wears sundresses in winter.
No jeans or sweatpants for her.
Spent the summer down at O-wood, not quite perfect, but mostly good.
And the girls they love the ocean and the horses and the staff.
Amy ran the day camp program, had a cabin with not much room,
For the kids the end came too soon, it was far too short by half.
They miss Gabby, Dan, and Amy, Mel, and Bes and all the staff.
No more names fit without ruining the meter.
In October got a kitty, gray and white and very pretty,
Named the cat Olivia and the kids play with her all day.
Loves to play, she's quite ferocious, just nine months she's still precocious,
Has some kitty halitosis, saves us from dangerous prey,
like loose socks and cotton puffballs, keeps those shoelaces at bay.
Lifelong housemate she will stay.
Thus I end our Christmas letter, tried to make this version better.
Had some time to be creative spent three days on this and more.
Hope your Christmastime is merry, happy, healthy, also very
Restful and extraordinary time with fam'ly friends and more.
Next Christmas no complex letter, I can't take this anymore.
I'll be rhyming nevermore.
