Passing this on Ron > Thought you would enjoy receiving these clever poems...at least we're all in > the same boat and can chuckle at ourselves....Enjoy!! Karen > > ======================================= > A Genealogist's Christmas Eve > (author unknown) > > "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 with letters which said... > "Too bad about the data for which you wrote > Sank in a storm on an ill fated boat." > > > Stacks of old copies of wills and the such > Were proof that my work had become much to much. > Our children were nestled all snug in their beds, > While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. > And I at my table was ready to drop > From work on my album with photos to crop. > > > Christmas was here, and of such was my lot > That presents and goodies and toys I forgot. > Had I not been so busy with grandparent's 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 birthdates 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 I yanked up the sash. > When what to my wondering eyes should appear? > But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. > > > Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew, > With a sleigh full of toys, and old Santa Claus too. > And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof > The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs. > The TV antenna was no match for their horns, > And look 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 - KER-RASH! > "Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck, > And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring 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 brought us such gladness and joy; > When I'd been too busy for even one 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 amazement - 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 a a 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 genealogy folks who can't find a thing. > Now off you go to your bed for a rest, > I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess." > > > As I climbed up the stairs full of 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!" > > =============================================== > All I Want For Christmas Is A New Surname > Dear Santa: Don't bring me new dishes, > I don't need a new kind of game. > Genealogists have peculiar wishes > For Christmas I just want a surname. > > A new washing machine would be great, > But it's not the desire of my life. > I've just found an ancestor's birth date; > What I need now is the name of his wife. > > My heart doesn't yearn for a ring > That would put a real diamond to shame. > What I want is a much cheaper thing; > Please give me Mary's last name. > > To see my heart singing with joy, > Don't bring me a read leather suitcase, > Bring me a genealogist's toy; > a surname with dates and a place. > > (author unknown) > > >