I wrote this today (November 30th) as I was thinking about how so many people struggle with Christmas and striving to realise the ideal of Christmas when faced with all of daily reality. In our celebration of what Christmas has become, we may actually lose sight of how it really is supposed to be about hope, peace, joy and love. Best wishes for a Christmas season as it is meant to be no matter the reality with which we are confronted; and may we be able to reach into our heart for understanding.
I know I should be grateful for my life and my lot
And you won’t find me griping about all being for naught
Yet why does it seem that I am often getting the short straw
Or have to live with the question of ‘how does God do the draw’
I have a combination of jobs but cannot save a dime
Getting ahead in life is like an impossible mountain climb
I have no car or truck as I can’t afford to pay for gas
Any spoon on my table is not silver and more likely brass
My shelter has walls and a roof but is also falling apart
My health is a crapshoot and my child has a failing heart
Even the teams I cheer for are always the underdogs
And on my best days, the future is cloudy with soupy fog
How does one be in festive spirit and all alive with a glow
Dreaming with a wish list when past efforts don’t get me to the show
When shopping means I have a list when I go to the food bank
And when my family asks for extra, I can only respond with a blank
When I’m told to get a better job or things will always improve
It is one more slap down and reinforces that I am stuck in a groove
It is not for lack of effort or that I don’t care for what I have in my yard
It’s like the deck is stacked against me; that I’ve been dealt crappy cards
So yes, I’m very grateful for the love of family and my friends
And remain ever hopeful that my cheering for the Leafs will pay dividends
I’m okay with a roof over my head for a home is more than house
And despite my lot in life, I have found myself with a loving spouse
What is it I ask for at Christmas when I find myself on bended knee
I pray for open hearts and for my child, a present under the tree
My hopes are for a better world where there are fewer short straws
Where we each are recognized for contributing to the bigger cause
My best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a happy new year
This poem is to encourage understanding and not cause a tear
I’d like to think that most of us can celebrate the spirit from above
After all it’s that time of year of hope, peace, joy and love.