Wednesday, December 8, 2010

'Twas the Night Before Set Changes

‘Twas the night before set changes and all through the home
Every boy slept quite soundly, nary a moan.

The monitors sat on the counter with care,
Anticipating a parent soon would be there.

The children’s fingers were hiding warm under their cheeks
Safely hidden from needles, a welcome retreat.

And I in my robe, and Ryan in his shorts
Had just settled down, for a napper of sorts.

When out in the hall their arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the door I flew like a flash,
My feet not touching the ground, a hasty worried filled dash.

When what to my blurry sleep deprived eyes should appear,
But one little boy staring at himself in the mirror.

His eyes all glazed over, his face no emotion to show
I knew at that moment my son must be low.

More rapid than reindeer I flew to the kits
Stepping over Legos, being careful not to trip.

Now Lancet, now monitor, now wet napkin too
On cocking the lancet, we have blood drawing to do!

To a finger so callused and speckled with dots
Now dash away, dash away, dash away sad thoughts!

As I checked his blood sugar to make sure all was well
I saw a number that made me swoon and I fell.

And then in a twinkling I saw above me,
My husband holding a juice box, to fix that 43.

He was dressed in his underwear, not a sock on his foot
And his hair was all tousled…he gave me a look.

His eyes bright with love and a crooked smile to match
He looked like a peddler, a cute one at that.

The lines around his eyes so wrinkly and tired
But his face shown of kindness and a hope unretired.

He helped me off the floor and he gave our son juice
I knew in a flash, he got his much needed boost.

I turned to our boy who began to giggle with glee
His pump shook up and down from his tummy clippy.

He was out of it; his jolliness seemed out of place
But I chuckled despite that blank look on his face.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight back to sleep
His fingers under his pillow, shoved down there deep.

And giving him a kiss just the side of his nose
I went back to my room, cursing the lows.

I set my alarm and gave my husband a squeeze
I whispered to angles, “A little sleep help please?”

But I heard a faint echo ‘ere I closed my eyes tight
“Love you mom and dad…see you later tonight.”

23 comments:

  1. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!

    This needs to go down as a classic!!!!!

    LOVE IT!

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  2. Aw! I'm teary-eyed reading that! So sweet! Love it, Meri!

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  3. You are so awesome! (as if I haven't said that enough)

    I LOVE this!

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  4. Better than the original!!!! Love it! You need to post this year after year after year! It's fun, creative and something to which we can all relate.

    "The lines around his eyes so wrinkly and tired
    But his face shown of kindness and a hope unretired." -- That one got me. Made me a little teary. We must have "hope unretired."

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  5. love it :)like i said on my facebook when i shared this post if anyone understands what a parent or a spouse gos through you do!

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  6. Awwww - Meri - You continue to amaze me! =)

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  7. Terrific post Meri! Loved this BIG TIME!

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  8. I love this post and I love u2!!!

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  9. Love it! We must be sharing the same brain because I have my own "Twas the night..." sitting in my drafts folder waiting for some final touches and to be published!

    Oh well... you beat me to it.

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  10. Alright . . . this is just a whole lot of TALENT wrapped up in this here poem!!!

    Anyone an illustrator? This thing needs to be published. Seriously.

    AWESOME MERI!!!!

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  11. Matthew and I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this! You totally rock!!!

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  12. This was wonderful it made me smile :)

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  13. Fantabulous Meri!!!! Just wonderful on every level!

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  14. Oh geez..this made me cry! This is so fantastic Meri!

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  15. How did I miss this?? Awesome, my friend! LOVE it.... And you!

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