When I was twelve years old
many decades ago
I baby-sat
mom promised
to save my earnings for me
to buy Christmas presents

Come Christmas
I asked for my money
There is no money
for Christmas this year
No presents even for you girls
but mom you promised

Ok a few dollars then
a small tree
and a good dinner is all
sis and I just knew she was joking
off to shopping we went
we bought mom a present with all our money

Proud as punch
we watched her open her gift
waiting for ours
I'm so sorry girls
I told you there are no gifts this year
there is no money

We hid our disappointment
the best we could
we had our tree
a wonderful dinner
mom loved the jewelry box
filled with each day of the week panties

When we went back to school
as children do
sharing the gifts received
amazed at the ones we shared
(imagination worked back then)
we had to save face

It was a truly memorable Christmas
full of love an sharing
I still have that cheap jewelry box
it reminds me of what Christmas is all about
besides the celebration of Jesus birth
which we can give thanks for