Hurry up the school bus is coming
The mother calls to the child
And put on your hat and pull on your gloves
As it’s quite cold outside.
Hat on head, backpack on back
Fingers entwined together
Mother and child walk down the drive
In the sunny December weather.
The school bus arrives with a screech of brakes
The door opens wide
There’s a quick hug and a kiss,
Then the child disappears inside
Soon a little face appears through the glass
The mother raises her hand
The bus starts up and drives off down the street
With its precious little band.
Slowly the mother enters the house
The breakfast bowls still on the table
I’ll get to those dishes she thinks,
Later when I am able.
But first a cup of warm sweet tea
And a little time for tea and me.
Taking the cup she settles in the comfy chair.
Running her fingers through her long hair
She thinks of the day ahead
Of washing clothes and the drive into town
Of the dance tomorrow and her new gown
Of the child’s ballet class and the visit to the zoo
Yes, this weekend there’s so much to do.
Then she closes her eyes and a smile lights her face
As she thinks of the child so happy and sweet
And how time has flown since she was but a babe
And now she is six and in First Grade
The mother muses on and soon she’s asleep
Its 9:20 a.m. when her phone starts to beep …
Part II
The tree is up, the lights are set
Colored balls glisten in their place
The mother gives a rueful smile
And wipes a tear from her face.
Slowly the father lifts the lid from the box
And they gaze at the contents inside
A baby Jesus in his manger bed,
A wooden dog with a curly tail
A Hansel and Gretel house,
A blue sled made of lollipop sticks
A wreath, a Santa, a little pink mouse
And look says the mother,
The silver bell bought that first Christmas Eve,
The one she loved so much,
Another tear ran down her face
As she longed for her child’s touch
The mother sighs and rubs her back
As she slumps in the comfy chair
The father kisses his wife’s soft brow
And runs his fingers through her long hair.
She turns and the smile she gives him is a beautiful smile
As she takes his hand in hers
And places it upon her body with care
So that they may both feel the new Life growing there!
Resi (Theresia) Willumsen
Blue Ridge Road, Dec. 9