8th Day of Christmas

Today we have a lyrical poem that was handwritten and mailed to us by regular post from Norma Mountain in Gray Rapids, NB. Hopefully no errors occurred when the poem was typed. We're sure many readers will recall similar experiences of the season when they were growing up. Happy New Year's Eve! Enjoy!

Christmas Back Home

In a little place called Barnettville
beside the Miramichi
That is where our family gathered
around the Christmas tree.
When kinfolk of all ages
who far from home did roam
All found themselves beside the stove
back where we all called HOME.

With the fire burning brightly
and some "toddy" on the sly
And Mama stuffing turkey
and onions in our eyes
All hands talking all at once
there was so much to say
And so much to get caught up on
while we were all away.

And as the evening went along
more friends kept dropping in
With shaking hands and Merry Christmas
How's she goin'? How have you been?
And Dad would play the mouth organ
Some good old-fashioned reels
Sometimes he'd dance a step or two
and we'd all kick up our heels.

Just then the old train would blow
we called "The Late Express"
Then Dad would light the lantern
and go to meet the rest.
When the last one had returned
we'd all sit down to lunch
Mama had cooked for days on end
to feed this hungry bunch.

Some would pick at the raw dressing
it tasted pretty good
Others would stoke up the stove
with a block or two of wood.
The little ones would be in bed
with the stockings in a row
But mostly didn't go to sleep
'til they heard the last "Ho! Ho!"

Before we hardly knew it
Christmas morning came
with all the oohs and ahs and ohs
and how do you play this game?
We awoke to bacon frying
there's nothing quite so good.
And toast made over the open fire
of a stove that's burning wood.

There was just time to get ready
before the church bell began to ring
We sometimes barely made it
Coming in with a prayer and a wing
And when we hear the Carols
and bowed our head in prayer
we could almost feel the presence
of a little Christ Child there.

Yes, someone had made Christmas very special
And the choir began to sing
Unto us a child is born
Unto us is born a king.
So let us all take time this year
amidst all the Christmas fun
to set aside a little time
to thank Him when it's done.

That's how it was at Christmas
for this family back home
Our hearts still hold fond memories
no matter where we roam
of love and joy and peace and rest
of happy days of yore
We cannot have those days again
the Old Homestead is no more.

-- Norma Mountain, Gray Rapids NB