THE BEST PRESENT EVER

A Christmas Poem for Parents

by

Eleanore Stasheff

Copyright © 2013

 

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

 

But wait!  What was that?  Someone was still awake!

It was the little girl Grace, and she’d made a mistake.

 

She’d forgotten a gift for her father and mother

As she sat up in bed, she woke up her brothers.

 

“What’s wrong?” said Henry as he started to yawn.

Clark sat up too and said, “Gwacie, wat wong?”

 

“I forgot a gift for our parents, it’s true.”

Both boys looked surprised.  They’d forgotten one too!

 

So they slipped out of bed and they snuck up the stairs

Then got out the craft box to see what was there.

 

They each made a card (well, that was the best thing),

Using glitter and glue and stickers and string.

 

They cut and they pasted, they drew and they colored.

But they all stopped and stared when they heard a great shudder.

 

Reindeer had landed on the roof with a bump!

And when Santa came down he made a loud thump.

 

They couldn’t believe what they saw with their eyes

For each to meet Santa was quite a surprise!

 

Santa himself took a moment to pause,

“Why are you three awake?” asked a stunned Santa Claus.

 

“We forgot a gift for our parents,” said Grace,

“So we’re making them one out of paper and lace.”

 

“We’re making them cards,” Henry said, holding glue.

“And I think that they’ll like them, Santa, don’t you?”

 

Santa smiled and his eyes sparkled with joy.

“I know what they’d like best, my dear little boy.”

 

“All of the cards and the pictures they’ll keep,

But what your parents like most is more hours of sleep.”

 

“Sleep?!?” cried the children, “Why would they want that?!?”

Clark furrowed his brow.  “I don wike ta take nap!”

 

“But your parents, they do!”  Santa smiled again.

“Trust me, I know a few things about them.”

 

“Them?” asked Grace.  “You mean you’ve met them too?”

“Of course,” Santa said, “when they were little like you.”

 

“Children can play—they have toys, slides, and swings.

But grown ups spend time doing grown up type things.”

 

“Adults need the magic kids bring them, no doubt

But keeping up with you all can tire them out!”

 

“So if you want a present your parents will love,

Let them both stay asleep, ’till the sun’s high above.”

 

The children looked at each other, then back at their mess.

But at gift-giving, Santa really was the best.

 

“We’ll let them sleep in,” Grace said with a sigh.

“If that’s what they’d want, then we’ll give it a try.”

 

“We’ll clean up our mess,” Henry said, “just in case,”

“ ’Cause I know my mommy loves a clean space!”

 

Without any quarrels they put things away.

(That’s the real miracle that took place that day)

 

When they were all done, Santa tucked them in tight.

Then he smiled and said “Merry Christmas, good night.”

 

They heard not a sound as he took to the skies,

They had fallen asleep when they first closed their eyes.

 

When the bright morning sun woke each sleepy head

They found three big stockings at the foot of their bed.

 

Each stocking was stuffed as full as could be

With toys, food, and juice, which they ate quietly.

 

Grace read the boys books and they played with each other

When the sun was quite high, then they woke up their mother.

 

“Good morning!  Wake up, mommy and dad!”

“We let you sleep in!  Aren’t you glad?”

 

“Oh my!” said their mother as she looked at the clock.

“It’s almost 8:30!” Dad said, looking shocked.

 

“That’s your present!” Grace said, “You were sleeping forever.”

Mom and dad hugged them all.  “It’s the best present ever!”