‘Tis the season for matching smocks,
Red and green plaid and knee high socks.
As Southern mothers, our duty calls
To dress our kids like toy soldiers and dolls.
Christmas cards are delivered each day
And loved ones are put out on display.
Their angelic faces are all aglow
Beneath bible verses and giant bows.
Our Christmas card photo looks very sweet.Don’t let us fool you, our smiles hold deceit.
Our photo session took us at least 50 tries
Because of runaways, slouching, and rolling eyes.
Thanks to my husband all the lights have been strung.
The last of the garland has finally been hung.
When he came inside he was dripping sweat,
His face was red, and he was soaking wet.
Today it’s almost eighty degrees.
Just last week there was a winter freeze.
We turn our thermostats as low as they’ll go
And burn fires and listen to songs about snow.
My kids excitedly decorate our tree Placing clusters of ornaments sporadically.
Our toddler’s a demolition extraordinaire
So the bottom of our tree is completely bare.
Everyday there are more boxes outside
From Amazon, Christmas is being supplied.
The boxes are coming too fast to discard.
I fear that soon they will take over our yard.
My children presume we have a lazy elf
Because he never leaves his spot on the shelf.
He does, however, leave behavior advice
And threats to tell Santa who’s naughty or nice.
Most of the presents underneath the tree
Now have peepholes from curiosity.
My kids have counted and kept steady track
Of whose presents can make the biggest stack.
School lets out and it is Christmas break.
There are cookies and gingerbread men to bake.
There are parties, parades, and places to go.
We enjoy bonfires as we eat our gumbo!
Tonight it is finally Christmas Eve.
Santa will come for all those who believe.
The Christmas tree twinkles its lights so bright.
There’s so much magic in the air tonight.
I read “The Night Before Christmas” Cajun-style.
My overdone accent makes my children smile.
Throughout the story there isn’t a peep
And soon my three darlings fall fast asleep.
I whisper the last line as I turn out the light,
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
About Rachel Chustz
Rachel was born and raised in Alexandria and moved to Baton Rouge to go to college at LSU. Rachel graduated in Elementary Education and shortly after met her now-husband, Michael. She went back to school to get her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and was an school teacher for several years. When Rachel and Michael had their first child, Rachel decided to be a stay-at-home mother. They now have three children: Tripp (7), Charlotte (5), and Joseph (1). If Rachel isn’t at an extracurricular activity with her children, she enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, barre class, and traveling with her family.
