After Christmas List Poem by Jim Yerman

When I was young I'd start my Christmas list well in advance of Christmas Day
Because often I would change my mind before sending my list Santa's way.

My list was long and specific…I wanted Santa to be clear
about all the thing I wanted on Christmas Day that year.

But as I grew a little older my way of thinking took a twist…
Now I wait until after Christmas before I make my list.

Yes, when I was young on my list was every item I wanted Santa to address….
Now, when Christmas is over I make a list of all the ways I have been blessed.

The first items on my list are always my wife, my family…my friends…
From here I keep on writing as the list never seems to end.

I have a house, a car, clothes, food to eat and anything I want to drink…
I can sing, and dance, and laugh and play…I have the ability to think.

I can see, hear, touch, taste, smell…
enjoy the sun, the moon the stars and the clouds in the sky above…
I can get excited, be surprised…I can smile..I can love.

I can travel across the Earth…I have the ability to understand the beauty of the mountains…the forests…or a walk along the sand.

I can experience the wonder of the flowers…the trees…I can even put into words
how I feel about the elephants, the dolphins…the dogs, the cats…the birds.

I can hold hands, hug, I can kiss and can be kissed…
Why I even have the ability to make an after-Christmas list.

A list I'm happy to revisit each year because what's new to it…I never know…
Because, as another year has passed, it's a list that continues to grow.

‘Dear Santa'…is how I end my after-Christmas list each year
‘Although I no longer send my list to you…
I'd like to thank you for all those gifts you delivered
that helped make all my dreams come true.