Thought and Poem – December 19, 2014
Many look forward to the first snowfall of the year; getting out in the yard and making a snowman. I can remember the excitement of going through trunks of old clothing to find just the right “outfit” to dress our snowman with.
We didn’t have any trouble finding the coal for his black eyes as we actually had a coal furnace in our home. We always had a few shriveling carrots in the vegetable bin to use for the nose and our mother had a very large button box that allowed us to be creative when picking out the style and color of the buttons to place down the front of the snowman. Oh, these were good memories.
As I moved away from home and had children of my own, I can remember how my children would be up at the crack of dawn ready to brace the cold so they could get out there and build a snowman. Unfortunately, when they were very little, I could not let them be outside unsupervised so this meant that I too had to be up and ready to go outside with them.
I will admit, I was not always a happy camper as the thought of leaving my nicely warm home to freeze to death to build a snowman did not appeal to me but, I was weak and never could deny their requests. I also did not want to disappoint them. When children are happy…well…it makes for peaceful days. Building a snowman together helped to build happy winter memories in our home.
What about you? Do you share in the excitement of making a snowman during the snowy winter days around you? Share your thoughts with us…Jeanne Claire Probst
Build Me a Snowman!
“Build me a snowman,” children commanded yet so sweet
“I won’t make one when you ask me this way, “I said, “You forgot to say please!”
It took a few minutes for them to understand
If they wanted a snowman they were not to command
Ask me nicely and remember to say “please”
Then if I made the snowman, it would be up to me!
With one look at their eyes I could see they were going to cry
Their heart was broken and they could not believe their wish I would deny.
Although the children were my little precious boy and girl,
If they wanted a snowman, proper manners they must learn!
The children thought for a moment and they knew it was not that hard
And they yelled “please” repeatedly while circling me in the snowy yard.
I bent down to roll three different size balls in the snow
And the children then demanded where these should to go.
But this time I did not have to remind…manners to express
The little children’s “please” rang out right after their request.
I placed the three balls together one above the other
While the children being so delightful that they pressed their hands together.
We patted more snow around the snowman
And as we stepped back to see how it looked the children smiled and began to dance.
Next came the pebble eyes and carrot nose
We got him a hat, mittens and other clothing as he had to stay warm I suppose
As we tied the scarf around his neck
The children put the buttons down the front of the snowman to secure his vest.
The children thanked me which I was proud to say
That they must say “thank you” too always
Manners count when you want others to help or do something for you
Commanding was not proper and would never do.
The children beamed so proudly and could not resist
And exclaimed for all to hear that as a snowman builder…I was the BEST!
Jeanne Claire Probst
