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'Twas the
night before Christmas,
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when all through the abode |
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Only one creature was stirring, |
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and she was cleaning the commode. |
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The children were finally sleeping
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all snug in their beds, |
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while
Visions of Nintendo and
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Barbie flipped through their heads. |
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The dad was snoring
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in front of the TV, |
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With a half-constructed bicycle |
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propped
on his knee. |
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So only Mom heard the
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reindeer hooves clatter, |
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Which made her sigh, |
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"Now what is the matter?" |
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With the toilet bowl brush
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still clutched in her
hand, |
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She descended the stairs |
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and saw the old man. |
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He was covered with ashes
and soot,
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which fell with a shrug, |
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"Oh, great," muttered Mom,
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"now I have to clean the
rug." |
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"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa,
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"I'm glad you're awake, |
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your gift was especially
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difficult to make." |
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but all I want is time
alone." |
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"Exactly!" he chuckled, |
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"So, I've made you a
clone." |
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"A clone?" she muttered,
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"What good is that?" |
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"Run along, Santa,
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I've no time for chit
chat." |
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Then out walked the clone
-
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The Mother's twin; |
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Same hair, same eyes,
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same double chin. |
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"She'll cook, she'll dust,
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she'll mop every mess. |
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You'll relax, take it
easy,
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watch The Young and The
Restless." |
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"Fantastic!" the Mom
cheered.
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"My dream has come true!" |
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"I'll shop, I'll read,
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I'll sleep a whole night
through!" |
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From the room above,
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the youngest did fret. |
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"Mommy? Come quickly,
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I'm scared and I'm wet." |
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The clone replied,
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"I'm coming, sweetheart." |
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"Hey," the Mom smiled,
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"she sure knows her part." |
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The clone changed the
small one
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and hummed her a tune, |
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as she bundled the child
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in a blanket cocoon. |
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"You're the best mommy
ever.
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I really love you." |
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The clone smiled and
sighed,
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"And I love you, too." |
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The Mom frowned and said,
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"Sorry, Santa, it's no
deal. |
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That's my child's love |
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she is trying to steal." |
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Smiling wisely, Santa
said,
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"To me it is clear, |
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Only one loving Mother |
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is needed here." |
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The Mom kissed her child
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and tucked her in bed. |
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"Thank you, Santa,
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for clearing my head. |
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I sometimes forget,
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it won't be very long, |
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when they'll be too old
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for my cradle and song." |
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The clock on the mantle
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began to chime. |
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Santa whispered to the
clone,
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"It works every time." |
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With the clone by his
side,
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Santa said, "Good night. |
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Merry Christmas, dear Mom,
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you will be all right." |
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By . . .
Karen
Spiegler
(Originally
published in December 1993 issue of Manic
Moms)
One of the greatest gifts
God can give is our children -
just as God's greatest Gift came as a child.
During these crazy weeks before Christmas,
as you shop and bake and clean and decorate
and mail cards. . . think of this as a
reminder to take a moment for extra hugs and
kisses and make sure your children know how
much you love them. That's what it's all
about anyway, right?
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DEDICATED TO ALL MOMS, THE WORLD
OVER |
Merry Christmas ! |