Red & Helen sent me this wonderful thing -- and genealogist as I am I just simply LOVED IT!!! Enjoy/jm >From: "Red & Helen" <redriver@Verm.rurilnet.org> >>From: Doris Compton Cannon > >A GENEALOGIST CHRISTMAS EVE > > >'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house > >Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. > >The dining room table with clutter was spread > >With pedigree charts and a letter which said.... > >"Too bad about the data for which you wrote... > >lost in a storm on an ill-fated boat." > >Stacks of old copies of wills and such, > >Were proof that my work had become much too much. > >Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, > >While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. > >And I, at my table, was ready to drop > >>From work on my album with photos to crop. > >Christmas Eve was here, and of such was my lot, > >That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot. > >Had I not been so busy, with grandparents wills, > >I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills. > >While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer, > >I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years. > >While I was thus musing about my sad plight, > >A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright. > >Away to the window I flew in a flash, > >Tore open the drapes and yanked up on the sash. > >When to what my wondering eyes should appear, > >But an overstuffed sleigh and eight little reindeer. > >With a sleigh full of toys and ole Santa Claus too, > >And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof, > >The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. > >The T.V. antenna was no match for their horns, > >And they looked at our roof, with hoof-prints adorned. > >As I drew in my head and bumped it on the sash, > >Down the cold chimney fell Santa---CRASH! > >Dear Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, > >And tracked soot on the carpet (I could ring his short neck) > >Spotting my face, good old Santa could see, > >I had no Christmas Spirit, you'd have to agree. > >He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, > >And filled all the stockings,(I felt like a jerk) > >Here was Santa, who'd bought us such gladness and joy, > >When I'd been too busy for one little toy. > >He spied my research on the table all spread. > >"A genealogist!" he cried. (My face was all red.) > >Tonight I've met many like you, Santa grinned. > >As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned. > >I gazed with amazment--the cover it read, > >"Genealogy Lines for which you have plead." > >"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug" > >He said as he gave me tha great Santa hug. > >While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry, > >I do some research in the North Pole Library. > >A special treat, I am thus able to bring, > >To the genealogy folks who can't find a thing." > >Now off you go to your bed to rest. > >I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess. > >As I climbed up the stairs feeling gladness and glee, > >I looked back at Santa, who'd brought much to me. > >While settling in bed I heard Santa's clear whistle, > >To his team which then rose like the down of a thistle. > >And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight, > >"FAMILY HISTORY IS FUN! > >Merry Christmas, > >Goodnight!" > >"A family tree can wither if nobody tends it's roots" >