That is, if you don’t count the cheer
Of children having children as we
Raise for each another beer.
If you would put aside six sons
And wives of four with their young ones
Then, sure, there’s nothing to report,
No reason for Post Office runs.
If you likewise would miss the five
The grandkids! Oh, so much alive:
Sarah, David, Bevy, Millie,
Hazel too, all full of drive,
Then one could say there’s no news here,Unless you count our Mikey dear
Who, born just at the start of spring,
Undimmed our hearts and made them clear.
’Twas Burnie and Amanda who
Awaited and then welcomed too
This newborn number six grandchild
As thanks were given, as was due.
He’s crawling now, about to walk
While sisters squeal in glee and stalk
Him pretty much where’er he goes.
And listen! He’s about to talk!
But else, the year was dull, in all,If you don’t count two days in fall
When in September came a pair
A day apart—O what a ball!
Our Ada came the twenty-eighth,
And next day Ezra too—same weight!
Though born of different parents, these
Twin cousins, cause to celebrate!
To Pete and Allison the son,
Who make the total eight in all
Grandchildren, now that’s quite a run!)
And since they’re on the Eastern coast
We traveled there so we could toast
In person these two sweeties, these
Two babes who tempt our hearts to boast.
But we dare not; for we know well
The grace of God these children spell
And more so does another Child
Whose birth we yearly wish to tell
Who saved us all from Satan’s pow’r
As carolers declare this hour—
They move along from house to house
To warm our hearts with Christmas show’r.
So join them, friends, and let’s be glad
For this year, even were it sad,
Still holds a reason to rejoice:
Eternal Good drives out the bad!
Let all the earth rejoice today
For there is much good news to say:
That makes all fam’ly news seem small
Our Savior brings us life for aye!
God rest ye merry, this Christmas 2017 and always – the scattered Eckardt family (Fritz, Carol, Burnie, Amanda, Bevy, Millie, Mikey, Andy, Kristy, Sarah, David, Peter, Allison, Ezra, Johnny, Alissa, Hazel, Ada, Joey, Michael)
