Sometimes, a family Christmas will consist
Of sitting on the carpet with your spouse
While both of you are alternately kissed
And cuddled by the canines of the house,

And rather than a sleigh ride through the drifts,
A walk around an isthmus in the bay,
Instead of six-course dinners after gifts,
A simple meal for two will do today.

Each commonplace activity gains meaning
When busy lives demand time spent apart,
So gratitude for festive intervening
In moments such as this will fill my heart.

May pride and expectation someday soften,
That we can all enjoy such things more often.