While the snow fell,

we, exhausted from excitement,

lay dreaming.

First one awoke,

then crept,

from room…

to room,

waking,

each of us,

one

by

one,

until finally we would go to their room.

Not knowing how late they had been up,

How tired they were, from,

wrapping present after present,

putting this toy and that toy together,

Finally.

After he had gone down to check,

if Santa had come,

we could go downstairs,

Years later,

with myself feeling that same deep,

parental exhaustion.

My children had to wait,

that same exhilarating,

wait,

before they could open their gifts

on Christmas morn.

© words by Daniel DeMarle 12/10/24