With due deference to Clement Moore….
Twas the night before Christmas, we’re in West Lafayette.
My mind is all stirring, I can’t sleep just yet.
At home the stockings have been hung with care.
In hope the recipients soon would be there.
The others are nestled, snug in their beds.
While visions of impeachments dance in their heads.
Now Lise was dozing, while I with a nightcap,
could not settle down, my brain would not nap.
My mind was unsettled, a din and a clatter.
I wasn’t sure why. Oh, what was the matter.
My thoughts were all jumbled, a nightmare mishmash.
When suddenly I saw it, the year in a flash.
A year unlike others, of travel and transition.
Things kept going on, like a long nonstop mission.
First to my wondering mind should appear,
our trip to Ireland, a highlight this year.
Because of Lindsay, her required internship.
The opportunity came, we had to go quick.
More rapid than eagles the places all came
We found ourselves driving, completely insane,
Now Dublin, now Dingle, Newgarnge and Lounghcrew.
To Galway, to Limerick, Skellig Michael and Kerry.
A damn traffic circle, watch out for the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, we must see it all!
In this year of transition two nieces were wed.
To Milwaukee and Oregon quickly we sped.
Katie to Cody and Teresa to Chris.
Are now settled down, in marital bliss
Now Molly and Lindsay did both graduate.
With honors and kudos from Michigan State.
Molly’s moved on, to Temple she went.
Studying herps, her lifelong intent.
Lindsay was later, so now she’s just chilling.
Looking for something intellectually fulfilling.
Into parenthood Stefan and Kasey were hurled.
When they brought baby Ava into this world.
She’s a joy and so merry, our only god-daughter.
Now Lise must see her, come hell or high water.
So to West Lafayette and St. Louis we went.
To make Lise happy, time and money well spent.
Ontario Canada, with Joanna our friend.
Paddling and birding, much time we did spend.
Transition means changes and changes we made.
Into a new world, we both have sashayed.
Interpretive Ideas, Lise’s business for years,
she’s now shutting down, without any tears.
Although retired, I still did some teaching.
It’s kept me engaged, my brain still reaching.
After eighteen years I taught my last class.
Unlike certain students, all things must pass.
After a year, of movement and transition.
We find ourselves in an interesting position.
To take on next year and do what is right.
So happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 