'Twas The Night Before My Credit Card Payment Was Due
"There is something about Christmas that is magical. Money just seems to disappear into thin air." Melanie White
Good evening and welcome to my humble podcast abode. I am Cocoa Griot, just a fifty-something who is super amped to talk to you dear listener about life, love, and a throng of other topics. It is the most wonderful time of the year and it is also the time that many of us sink deep into debt to provide a magical Christmas experience for friends and loved ones. In honor of this special time, I wrote a poem that summarizes what many people will experience after Christmas is over.
“Twas the night before my credit card payment was due,
No holly jolly feeling, just up to my ears in debt blue.
A stocking was hung by the chimney with care,
Now I have got a balance from the things I put in there.
My children are all nestled in their beds,
while visions of a second job dance in my head.
I heard a sound it was a concerning matter,
I had turned down the thermostat so my teeth began to chatter.
I glanced quickly around the room for things I could sell,
Christmas was great, but now I am not feeling so well.
I grudgingly decided to add up the receipts,
it took incredible courage to accomplish this feat.
The Christmas spirit must have had a hold on me,
my balance exploded because of all the gifts under the tree.
I tried to focus on the gleam in my children’s eyes,
Wasn’t all this worth it to see their joy and surprise?
Well actually not knowing that I will have to be away from them more,
because of my overzealous shopping spirit and presents galore.
They might not remember what they opened on Christmas Day,
I will never forget because of the debt I have to pay.
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I made this poem because for many years this was my reality. I would strain myself to buy gifts I could not afford with money I did not have. I worked two jobs for many years to try to climb out of debt. Now if I don’t have the money for it, I will not buy it. I am not saying parents should not give their kids gifts. I just know that I made the holiday about the gifts for a long time. In doing so, I wore myself down trying to outdo one year by what I purchased the next year. I hope that if you celebrate Christmas you are able to do so with those you love.
Thanks for listening this evening and as always I wish you good health, good fortune, and a goodnight..
Cocoa Griot out!