Twas the night before Christmas and, headed for bed,
          I noticed a text from my daughter that read
“Too excited to sleep,” was her message to me
          Beneath a nice photo of her Christmas tree

The note took me back to three decades before
          When a little girl sat next to me on the floor Close to a tree with gifts under it
          Saying, “Please, Daddy … can’t I stay up just a bit?”
 
Determined she was to meet Santa that night And I gave in to her with hardly a fight
          She quickly convinced her two brothers then
          To set up a camp near the tree in the den

A few hours later Santa did then show up
          With a helper, his wife, and arms full of stuff Carefully stepping around kids asleep
          They scattered the presents ‘neath the tree in a heap

I remember the laughter, the fun and their smiles
          When they woke up next morning among the great piles Of bright colored paper, boxes and toys
          I feel the excitement and still hear the noise

And all these years later that feeling still comes
          For her, and will no doubt get passed to her sons We’re blessed with her text that her joy we can share
          And though we’re not with her, our hearts are out there

Now in my bed on this Christmas Eve,
          While the one that I love slips in next to me, I’ll sleep well remembering a Christmas that was,
S          o goodnight dear daughter; goodnight Mrs. Claus

                    E. A. Coe