COUNTING DOWN: While we are under the wire on the week before Christmas (we hope you have all of your shopping done), the newsroom thought an inspiring poem was in order. We had this shared with us, and we are passing it along for our readers to enjoy as well. We can’t credit the writer, as we aren’t sure who they are. But good job to them, nonetheless.

“T’was a week before Christmas, and all through the town,

people wore masks, that covered their frown.

The frown had begun way back in the spring

when a global pandemic changed everything.

They called it corona, but unlike the beer,

It didn’t bring good times, it didn’t bring cheer.

Airplanes were grounded, travel was banned.

Borders were closed across air, sea, and land.

As the world entered lockdown to flatten the curve, the economy halted,

and folks lost their nerve.

From March to July we rode the first wave,

people stayed home, they tried to behave.

When summer emerged the lockdown was lifted,

but away from caution, many folks drifted.

Now it’s December and cases are spiking, wave two has arrived, much to our disliking.

It’s true that this year has had sadness a-plenty,

we’ll never forget the year 2020.

And just ‘round the corner — The holiday season, but why be merry?

Is there even one reason?

To decorate the house and put up the tree,

who will see it, no one but me.

But outside my window, the snow gently falls,

and I think to myself, let’s deck the halls!

So, I gather the ribbon, The garland, and bows,

as I play those old carols, my happiness grows.

Christmas is not canceled and neither is hope.

If we lean on each other, I know we can cope.”