Hi Nancy - That is great! Thanks, Phyl in Reno ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nancie" <treebines@home.com> To: <WIRICHLA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 9:41 AM Subject: [WIRICHLA] 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 > Stacks of pedigree charts and with letters which said. . . > "Too bad about the data for which you just wrote > It 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'd forgot. > Had I not been so busy with my grandparent's wills, > I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills. > While others 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 like a flash, > Tore open the drapes and then yanked up the sash. > When what to my wondering eyes should appear? > But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer. > > Up to the rooftop 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. > Our TV antenna was no match for their horns, > And look at that roof with those hoof prints adorned! > > As I drew in my head, slamming it on the sash, > Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER-RASH! > "Dear" Santa came down looking like a wreck. > Tracking soot on the carpet,(I could wring his short neck!) > Spotting my face, good old Santa could see > That 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 burned bright 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 > "Those Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Pled." > "I know what it's like being a genealogy bug," > He said as he gave me a great Santa Hug. > > "While the elves make the sleighful of toys that I carry, > I do my research in the North Pole Library! > A special treat I am thus able to bring > To genealogy folks who just can't find a thing. > Now off you must go off 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 so much to me. > While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle, > To his team, then they 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!" > > > > Nancie L Dobyns > > > ==== WIRICHLA Mailing List ==== > Search the list archives: > http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl - put WIRICHLA for > the name of the list > >