The Night Before Thanksgiving Poem

I know this doesn’t pertain to everyone who follows me, some of you are not in The States and don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but still this will benefit you too.

I wrote this poem on Thanksgiving Eve 2012.

A lot has changed since then in my world…

This is my own rendition of The night before Christmas, except I replaced Christmas with Thanksgiving.

I was still really trying to have the “TRADITIONAL FAMILY HOLIDAY” as I was always used to it being when I wrote this poem and felt the frustration that it inspired.

Three years ago it was only our 5th Thanksgiving as a family that was no longer in tact.

Anyone reading this who has had a divorce or is a child of divorce knows that it takes some time for things to get back to “NORMAL” or for new traditions to begin.

Also, because of the business of helping you all to learn what I have learned has come into my world only 3 years ago, I have really grown in this area and so much has evolved because of our interactions.

So while I have been on the Getting Organized Train for over 28 years, having all of you in my life has helped me so much to see holidays, and home-making and organizing and life… in a different light than I ever have before. Thank you!

I still do a turkey and lasagna and all that we are used to eating, but I don’t stress it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, now, it just has to be happy.

I hope you like the poem 🙂 Please comment on this page and let me know about your holiday!

Twas the night before thanksgiving and all through the house, my kids were having cocktails and I was a grouch.

Knowing tomorrow would be stressful, but my kids didn’t care. I hoped that the food fairy soon would be here.

My children were pre-gaming for the pary night ahead, all I could think of was, Screw the stuffing, I’m goin to bed.

While out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my kitchen to see what was the matter.

Away to the porch I flew like a freak, opened the screen door and spoke out with a shriek.

With a darling young driver, neither comrade nor foe, I knew in a moment it was my son joe.

More rapid than eagles his friends got out of his car, and he whistled and shouted their names from afar.

Now Andrew, now Michael, now Kevin and Joey, Now Maniah now Charlie, now Nick and Now Corry.

I wish my eyes would twinkle and my dimple would be merry. But all I could do was be grumpy and worry.

My usual sweet little mouth was all tied up in a knot, my chin quivered so much, I began to feel hot.

I was dressed with a blanket draped over my arms, I couldn’t make this day go away not with all of my charms.


The groceries were strewn all aroudn in the kitchen. I wouldn’t be thankful I couldn’t stop bitchen.

Then emily and katie came into the room, they wrapped their arms around me and said “Mom, stop being a bafoon.”

“We don’t care about the things that are making you worry, it all doesn’t matter, calm down, what’s the hurry?”

“If we are going to do something lets do it with glee, it will be funner we promise, just wait you will see.”

So I decided to wing it and change my attitude, I realized that for years I had been unconsciously rude.

I have a choice to enjoy the day that I am in, for so many years I’ve been taking it on the chin.

So if you are what I am, concerned and in knots, I invite you to take it easy, cause being stressed? It just rots!

Today is a new day and a new holiday season, I can celebrate and change my mind and here is the reason.

I only have this one life for me to live, I will spend it or waste it, as if in a sieve.

What will I be remembered for? the mess in my house? The crazy behavior I had with my spouse?

Or the joy that I lived every day with the hope, that someday I would’nt be at the end of my rope. – The end

This holiday is coming weather we like it or not. It’s going to pass if we are happy about it or upset.

All of the circumstances are going to happen regardless of our attitude, the people who are coming over are family and friends, does it matter if everything is perfect?

They know you. If it isn’t so good, If it is a little late, if it is a bit of a mess, who cares.

Take care of your living space. The kitchen, the living room and the bathroom. Don’t’ care about anything else, and ask for help in the kitchen, don’t be afraid someone will see your refrigerator.

You aren’t alone, all of your Tidy Tutor Family are with ya here, we are all in this together.

I have a post on my Tidy Tutor Facebook Page that you can go to right now. We can do a PWYC (Post While You Can) or to vent or to laugh with me/us, checking in when you need to, or to report what you are accomplishing real time, we yearn for distraction, this is a healthy one.

Much Love to you!

Kathy