With plans to be out of town for Christmas, we decided to unwrap our gifts early rather than pack them in our suitcases. One of the traditional gifts for my wife is a Limoges box, dating back to when we first got together 20 years ago. Normally, she has a Christmas display of them, but they’ve been stowed away for a couple of months while some interior painting was being completed in our condo. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago before she finally was able to get the “12 Days of Christmas” porcelain figurines out of storage. This was long after I bought her gifts. As I result, I did not buy a Holiday-oriented box, but rather something for her travel collection.

My wife’s youngest daughter is moving from Washington D.C. to San Francisco in March for a position at Stanford hospital. Everyone is excited about the move, including her Portland-based sister and our aging schnauzer Tinker who developed a special bond with her as a young pup. We’ll be in driving range of her new home, and Tinker may just get to go for a visit.

I thought that it would be appropriate to gift my wife this year an artist’s rendition of Lombard Street, the most famous crooked street in the Bay area. Included in the intricate details is a tiny trolley positioned at the top of the street, affording tourists a view of its twisting curves below. Naturally, I included a poem hidden inside the hinged box:

The Streets of San Francisco 

The San Francisco,
Crooked Streets.
Golden Gate views,
And Ghirardelli treats.

We’ve been there,
Together five times.
Twice it’s included,
Tasting Napa wines.

But in the future,
We’ll be there more.
Knocking On,
Miranda’s door.

The Stanford job,
Brings her West.
Closer to her,
Mama’s nest.

Sisters nearer,
Tinker thrilled.
A California.
Dream fulfilled.

Miranda’s moving,
Near The Bay.
But it’s our Limoges,
That’s packed away.

It didn’t appear,
Christmas would come.
So a Santa Limoges,
Seemed rather dumb.

This crooked idea,
Resulted from that.
When you weren’t sure,
Where “12 Days” were at?

Think of your daughter,
Closer next year.
I thought this might bring,
Some Christmas Cheer.

copyright 2018 johnstonwrites.com