‘Twas The Night Before Christmas…

When all through the land All the humans were stirring, smart phones in hand. The pics were snapped and ready to share In the hopes that Jen and Nicholas would care. The cousins were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of iPads danced in their heads. And your sister in her Snuggie and you in your vest Couldn't settle your brains for a long second's rest. When in your texts there arose such a chatter, You hopped online to see what was the matter. Away to the search bar you typed like a flash Tore open web pages, and added to cache. But random links and apps and things you could know Kept you from what you wanted to check, yo! When what to your wondering eyes did appear, But a little blog post that you're now reading here. With a bunch of words so witty and slick You knew in a moment it must be Bassam and not Nick. More rapid than eagles his demands they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and started to take aim: "Get off Facebook! now, Pinterest! now Tumbler and Tinder! Off Gmail! Off (OK) Cupid! Off Instagram and twitter! Take a break! Take a breath. Take a rest from it all! Now be present! Be present! Be present with all! Our lives spin around like wild hurricanes fly That we forget how to be still, and enjoy a good sigh. So up to the faces of those around you, With eyes full of wonder (and this is for me too)-- Because in a twinkling, the holidays go poof. And you'll be back to the grind, back to the hoof. Draw your focus up and around Even to your weird Uncle Sal, who just came to town. Yeah he's dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot But he has some good stories, if only you'd stay put. "But a bundle of updates! I've got to get back!" And so then he slapped you, "Are you smoking crack?!" His eyes how they raged, his voice, how scary! His cheeks were like roses, his arms were so hairy! So as you pressure yourself to always be tethered, Make sure you're not left black-eyed and weathered.

(This holiday season…)

Have some thoughts and some memories that are only your own. You don't need to share all things through your phone. This post is for me and not just for you Because I'm sure to check how many did view. But it would be great, if just for a night, We could be who we’re with and not who we write And I will now exclaim before I go out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!