Stories for Christmas

Dolls and teddies,paints and bricks,

Do you remember Tiddly Winks?

Remember we used to sneak down before dawn, Jump out of bed no time to yawn, To see if Santa had come in the night, When I said he’s still down there, you jumped with a fright.

Our stockings were hand-knitted, which we wore every day, Not like the fancy ones they have today,But they were special, as we look back on the years Thinking of loved ones, often with tears.

Marietta biscuits around the ashed fire, Shivering with cold or was it desire? The squeak of a doll, a shot from a gun, Snakes and Ladders open, the games had begun.

Mammy says “back to ye’re beds” Teddy’s and dolls close to our heads. Sometimes too close wasn’t always right, Things often got broken that very first night.

Do you remember the cots Daddy made? In them our dolls beautifully laid, Covered with blankets, which Mammy had sewn, From old dresses, we know now were her own.

Wind-up aeroplanes, Meccano and Draughts Ludo and ring-boards, “double tops” on the Darts. Dolls and teddies paints and bricks, Do you remember Tiddly Winks?

There’s so much to write, but I’ll leave it this time, Besides it’s not easy put those memories in rhyme. But I’ve given you plenty to reminisce, So I’ll say Happy Christmas, dear sis.