The Christmas Gift

My friend had a Christmas gift
He wanted to give me;
He shushed it was a secret
And I couldn't see.

It's awful not knowing
What a present is:
It's like getting stuck
In a cryptogrammic quiz.

He laughed
When I begged for a hint,
With an evil snicker
At my hapless predicament.

But as I steamed,
I looked about:
A light snow was falling,
And it was so very peaceful out.

The year had its struggles,
We nearly lost the place,
But that sudden promotion
Put me at a more amiable pace.

Janell gave me an awful scare
When she found a lump on her breast;
We prayed pretty hard,
But she aced every test.

Sadie and Jeff
Gave a grandchild last spring:
The sweetest, dark-haired girl
That life could bring.

I felt a little misty
As I stood there,
But he hadn't told me about the gift
And it just wasn't fair!

I thought of the fancy paper,
And I saw my grandbaby stand;
I thought of the lacy ribbon,
And I felt my wife's hand.

Something was happening to me,
I couldn't tell,
But it dawned
As clear as a bell.

There were gifts
That I had gotten,
Not in boxes and paper,
How could I have forgotten?

Saving our home
Was a gift, indeed,
And my wife's health,
What more did I need?

The grandbaby, in my arms,
Made me feel alive;
You know, I heard angels
Right there in the drive.

I wanted a gift,
But what gifts I'd received;
"Merry Christmas," my friend grinned,
"Now do you believe?"

Copyright © Joel Bjorling | Year Posted 2014

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