The Little Present

It was a little present....................that was underneath the tree.
Nobody even noticed it............................it was so hard to see.
All the gifts were opened...............and, we thought we got them all.
We had missed the little present.............because, is was very small.

We did not see who put it there...................it wasn't seen before.
It wasn't something, one of us.................had purchased at a store.
We didn't know who it was from.................or, to whom it should go.
There was no tag with writing on it.................how were we to know?

I took the little present................to see what was wrapped inside.
And found a note, addressed to me...........the year my Dad had died.
My father loved surprises.........................even to his dying day.
I had a feeling, this was one.................here's what he had to say.

"I don't know when you'll get this"..........he said "in a year or two".
"But, there will be a Christmas Day...........that I won't be with you".
"So every year, when you took down..............and put away your tree".
"I taped this little package on it..............where you couldn't see".

"I knew there'd be a Christmas Day...............when I was not around".
"I knew the tape would not hold long....the present would fall down".
"Then on that Christmas Day.........you'll see the present by the tree".
"You'll open it, not knowing..............that the present was from me".

"You know I love surprises...............and, I know you love them too".
"I just thought..... some Christmas morn....I'd leave this one for you".
"You know I'll always be with you.................I love you very much".
"I just thought I'd leave for you......... this little Christmas touch".

I laid the note, under the tree...............and paused to dry my eyes.
My father always loved to give...................the very last surprise.

[ by James A. Kisner © 1998 (PoppyK1@aol.com) -- {used with permission} ]