Mom's Night Before Christmas

Mom’s Night Before Christmas

T’was the night before Christmas
Downtown stores they were packed
Shoppers looking for deals
Bargains bound to attract.

My mother navigated crowded streets with care
She put off Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve
Knowing the sales would still be there
She would check off her list – this she believed!

Every year, the same game
This her habit, her tradition
Christmas Eve shopping – her claim to fame -
Like a wise woman on a mission

All parking lots said no room in the inn
Garages full, nary a spot in sight
But mom didn’t worry, slowly she grinned,
She knew the secret for parking this night.

Singing Silver Bells, her favorite carol,
With visions of gifts purchased, just in time,
She wore her mantra like festive apparel
“There’s always room at the head of the line.”

Lo, and behold, what appeared
One parking place at her favorite store
Quickly she zipped in filled with Christmas cheer
Ready to finish her holiday chores.

There’s always room, her holiday legend,
One she passed on to me, thankfully,
When finding a mall space I look to Heaven
“Thanks, Mom!” I say with Christmas glee.

Miracles happen at this time of year
In positive thinking believe
A star in the sky – a Savior appears 
All of life’s burdens to relieve.


12-6-22
Contest: T’was the Night Before 3
Sponsor: Joseph May

Every year on Christmas Eve my mom would drive downtown to do her Christmas shopping.  With every garage and parking place taken, she would, every year, find a place to park in front of the door to her favorite store!!!!  Her mantra lives on – “There’s always room at the head of the line!”  Perfect for the belief in miracles at Christmas!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Gasun Avatar
December 26, 2022 at 1:35 AM
Such a brilliant and beautiful story poem my dear friend Sam! Blessings and miracles happen always especially this special season of the year and positive life's outlook invites positive outcome. I love your poem so much. Thanks for sharing! Congratulations on your well-deserved first place win! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2023 to you and your family my dearest friend! God bless you always. Hugs
Kauffman Avatar
December 27, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Merry Christmas Len! This simple parking place was a source of joy and the evidence of miracles alive and well at Christmas! I am so happy you enjoyed Mom's story. Thinking about her parking place at Christmas has always been a favorite memory as I find parking places in a crowded mall parking lot! I love sharing this bit of Christmas whimsy! Sending you and all you love blessings of joy for the merriest Christmas season every and the new year! Christmas hugs sweet friend!
May Avatar
December 24, 2022 at 6:12 AM
A lovely story Sam, your Mom had the last minute shopping down to a science, Very nicely done, Congrats on your win, Merry Christmas
Kauffman Avatar
December 27, 2022 at 12:43 PM
Merry Christmas Joseph as we continue to celebrate this Christmas season on the third day of Christmas! I am so grateful to you for the wonderful theme and the chance to tell my mom's story. Even though she went through many challenging moments, she never never forgot the power of this positive mantra. Thank you so much for your placement. Hopefully her story will bring the power of positive thinking to many who read it. Sending you blessings of joy wrapped in positive thoughts.
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
December 23, 2022 at 8:56 AM
A charming woman, Sam, for we have been blessed and enriched for having their endearing souls to have graced us, their sons, and their loved ones, for we all are the better for their righteous love. Maika'i on your 1st Placement my friend, Aloha William
Kauffman Avatar
December 27, 2022 at 11:46 AM
Mahalo hoa'aloha! Mele Kalikimaka! My mother was resourceful if nothing else and the legacy of her mantra lives on in our family! A lovely way to remember her. I hope you are having a wonderful, and safe, Christmas season! Happy second day of Christmas! Blessings of joy
Alex Avatar
December 23, 2022 at 8:43 AM
"There’s always room", "Miracles happen at this time of year In positive thinking" - Beautiful writing. Congratulations!
Kauffman Avatar
December 27, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Merry Christmas Chris! Many thanks for your lovely feedback, delightful note. For all the challenges of her life she never let go of this saying. Positive thinking is her legacy as evidenced in finding the perfect parking place - a little miracle in the season of miracles from the eternal Miracle Worker! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season! Sending you blessings of peace and much joy!
Volumes Avatar
December 23, 2022 at 8:15 AM
Loved your poem Sam. Yes miracles seem to be abundant at this time of year. Your Mum's faith paid off big time. What a special lady ! Your poem is super, Thanks for a lovely Christmas read.
Kauffman Avatar
December 27, 2022 at 10:16 AM
Happy Christmas Wendy! My mother was quite the character and she really did believe about places at the head of the line! Her ability to find a parking place was always a source of smiles and giggles for the family especially at Christmas! I am so glad you enjoyed her story. Thank you for your lovely note. I hope you are having a very happy Christmas season. Blessings of joy to you!
Cunningham Avatar
December 12, 2022 at 11:49 PM
Love this Sam, as JFK once said, there's always room for one more. Best of luck in the contest. Over Fork Over. Tom
Kauffman Avatar
December 13, 2022 at 9:44 AM
Hi Tom! Your feedback is a great compliment coming from the master storyteller!!! Thank you! I really like the JFK quote as it reminds me of my family's hospitality. There was always room for a guest at the table especially at the holidays. So grateful for your message. Put a little extra lift in my step today! Over Fork Over! Here's to the storytellers of clan Cunningham!!
Proxenos Avatar
December 11, 2022 at 8:40 AM
One clever lady was your mum Sam. We have one of the best Chinese stores down the road from us really i mean it is great, and they are open till late, after eight at night. So i leave most my shopping till then, for Christmas Eve, and if you scout around you find bargains. GLAD YOUR MOM GAVE YOU GOOD TIPS. HAPPY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND TO YOU AND YOUR LOVELY FAMILY, PEACE AND GOODWILL TO MANKIND. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Kauffman Avatar
December 13, 2022 at 9:38 AM
Hi Jennifer! Many thanks! Agreed! And yes she was a clever lady and she definitely believed in this mantra as time after time she found a place at the head of the line! It just tickles my heart to know you do your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve! The legend lives on in you! I hope you too find a place at the head of the line! Sending you and your family joyful Christmas blessings and much happiness in the new year - 2023 dear friend!
Dietrich Avatar
December 7, 2022 at 12:56 PM
What an interesting story how things always came through for her. Wow, lucky woman!!
Kauffman Avatar
December 13, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Thank you so much Andrea! My mother was famous in our family for this very saying. Though she had tough battles with her health, she always believed there was room at the head of the line especially at Christmas! Blessings!
Andresen Avatar
December 6, 2022 at 5:53 PM
- What a wonderful poem, Sam ... lovely memories of your mother ... yes, the miracles of Christmas ... beautiful :) - hugs
Kauffman Avatar
December 7, 2022 at 11:56 AM
Anne-Lise, thank you so much for your lovely message and delightful comments. They bring as much joy as remembering my mother's legendary forays into Christmas crowds to Christmas shop! Sending you joy, blessings and a Yuletide hug!
Ray Choudhury Avatar
December 6, 2022 at 3:45 PM
Dear Sam, this is a lovely poem on Christmas memories, miracles and magic. I love to read poems when they are connected to our real life - in this one, your Mom's shopping spree on Christmas Eve is so sweet and charming. Finding a parking at downtown in front of your favourite store, is definitely a miracle. Great poem, Dear Sam. Sending this to my FAVES. Love and blessings ~ Mala
Kauffman Avatar
December 7, 2022 at 11:54 AM
Thank you so much dear friend! Truly it was a time of memorable, magical miracles - especially for my mom. Funny how this memory is one of my most vivid! I think she really loved shopping on Christmas Eve. She had fun. And it was always so much fun to see what she came up with for gifts! We never knew what would appear under the tree. Thank you so much for the fave - it is an honor! Thanks for coming along on this Christmas Eve shopping trip! Sending you much love, Christmas blessings and hugs. Here's to Christmas shopping with a friend.
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