Many thanks Sandra -- very fitting for the season, as many of us are trying to relax! Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Canada Census Committee Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Sandra Devlin wrote: <devlin7@attglobal.net> > A Genealogists Christmas Eve > > by Sandra Devlin > > 'Twas the night before Christmas and inside my house > Little was stirring, except my computer mouse. > Our descendants were nestled all snug in their beds, > While visions of ancestors danced in their heads. > > So I at my laptop, near trusty old printer > Put the finishing touches to the project of winter, > The gift I had promised for under the tree > A product of love, the family genealogy. > > My table with clutter galore was aspread > with pedigree charts of the living and dead; > old yellowed photos, letters of yore, > wills and diaries chronicling days from before. > > While others bought gifts at Wall-Mart or Sears, > Id spent my time searching birth dates and years. > No need for ribbons or fancy gift wrappings, > This gift had a way of transcending the trappings. > > While surveying the charts with one final proof, > I must have missed the sound on the roof. > For what to my wondering eyes did appear, > But the jolly old elf, replete in his gear. > > Searching my face, old Santa could sense > My Christmas spirit was extremely intense. > He spied my research on the table spread out, > "A genealogist!" he exclaimed, that removes any doubt. > > As I climbed up the stairs feeling quite in the pink, > I looked back at Santa and shared a sly wink. > For he and I know that the gift of oneself, > Beats anything bought from a department store shelf. > > Sandra Devlin > Moncton, New Brunswick > > Web Page: http://sites.netscape.net/devlinsandra/missinglinks > >