Letting Go

T’was the night before Thanksgiving, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
(which is good ‘cuz mamma is terrified of mice);
The turkey was thawed in the new Frigidaire
in hopes of tomorrow when friends would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of mashed potatoes danced in their heads.
Mamma making lists, preparing her nest
had just settled down for a long evening’s rest.
When out from her bedroom there arose such a clatter,
Father sprang from his office to see what was the matter.
He rushed across the driveway and through the back door
his bare feet padding over the new floor.
He pushed past the dining room and all sleeping boys
into the bedroom to see what was that noise.
And what to his wondering eyes should appear,
but the one thing that was his very worst fear.
His wife made the sounds, and the worst of it
was that she was having a huge coughing fit.
Her chest heaved and her eyes watered as she tried to breathe
it was so hard to watch, he wanted to leave.
Poor mamma’s cold had gone into her chest
but what worried her was her expected guests.
Tomorrow they expected a Thanksgiving meal,
and her coughing would be very hard to conceal.
Her disappointment was obvious as he looked in her eyes
she knew she couldn’t make gravy and pies.
No, she’d have to stay in bed and let her body heal
instead of making the beautiful Thanksgiving meal.
He told her he’d give the guests a call
and she should go to bed once and for all.
So she stopped making lists and put down her pen
and went to bed sad for her invited friends.
Where would they go for their Thanksgiving feast?
the ham, corn and deviled eggs, rolls made with yeast.
But finally she gave over to her husband’s words
she knew that trying to cook this meal was absurd.
She went to bed praying for God to make a way
for her friends to still have a wonderful day.
The lesson she learned through her prayers from that night…
Let go and let God, for He knows what is right.