'Twas the Week Before Christmas

Back row, from left: Romey, RoAnn, Ron, Rayna and Rachel. Front row: me, Renell and Raylene.

The 8 R's and our family members who could make it gathered in the Northwoods for our annual Christmas gathering.

This year, since Mom wanted to host (with my sister Romey's help), we gathered just up the road from Mom's at Skonewood (a retreat center that has a fellowship hall to fit us all). I believe today's tally was 34 of us including all 5 of us Austins since Casey and Clay drove up for part of the day. That was awesome!! We sure missed the ONE who has been there since the beginning, though.

After a nice, filling lunch, we held our annual program, which we have performed for Dad and Mom since I was a toddler. With Dad's absence, it had a more somber tone than previous years. But we could feel he was there in spirit.

I wrote the following and managed to get through reading it out loud without completely losing it. I really believe Dad was there and telling us we are going to be OK. And "thanks" for making family first during Christmas!


'Twas the week before Christmas in the Austin house
Not a creature was stirring except Robyn on her new Mac with the wireless mouse.
Carter’s homework was hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes it would be done the next time he looked there.

Sylvester was nestled between the pillows on our bed,
While visions of Tweety birds danced in her head;
And Robyn in her warm socks, and Jim in his Vikings cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When way up north there arose such a clatter,
We hopped in the Honda to see what was the matter.
Away to Skonewood, we flew like a flash,
Careful not to speed and cough up any cash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to Pickeral below,
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But the Hedberg family and the 8 R's we hold dear.

But where was the little old driver, so lively and quick?
His absence this year makes our hearts feel so sick.
More rapid than reindeer we knew his spirit came,
And as we listened closely, heard him call us by name:

"Now, Rayna! Now, Romey! Now, Nell and RoAnn!
On, Ronald! On Rachel! On, Lene and Robyn!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away those tears and have a ball!"

And then, in a twinkling, I knew we had proof
That we were ALL here together under one roof.
As we each take a breath and look around,
We can see we are home, where love does abound.

We miss his little eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His mischievous mouth drawn up like a bow,
And remember that awful beard that was as white as the snow?

He's no longer chubby and plump, but a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye. His hat crooked on his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled our hearts with memories; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up to the heavens he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, blew a final kiss goodbye,
And away he flew to join baby Jesus in the sky.
But we heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all. You’re going to be alright!"