‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore… and a head’s up: This is a much-abbreviated, chopped-up, mushy version written by me, for you:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all was not well
Depression ran rampant before nighttime fell
Expectations were high as they are every year
The way it has been for… forever, I fear.

The cats were nestled all snug in their beds
I’m joking, of course, they curled up on our heads
We’re nutty cat lovers, I must confess
They run this whole household, but I digress.

Where was I? Oh yes, I was saying that we
Find Christmastime gloomy, or is it just me?
For all of the holiday cheer that abounds
There’s a sadness inside that makes its rounds.

Let’s not give in. We can make a new day!
We can hold and hang onto the good that we may!
There’s new-fallen snow! Grab boots and your hat!
Depression be gone! I’m through with all that!

It sounds good on paper. I wish it were true.
I want to believe it. You feel that way, too?
“Now, Depression! Now, Anxiety! Now, Asthma and Pain!
We have all the tools to get through this refrain.

Self-helpers, Rejoice! Hold your hearts and heads high
It won’t be easy-going, I’m not gonna lie
But it will be worth it, I know that it will
I promise you this: we’ll get over this hill.

Let’s do it together! Let’s make it a plan
Make YOU a priority, I know you can!
I’d just like to say, as I send you a light
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!