New Year's Eve Poem, 2020
by Penelope Page Van Voorst
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The Van Voorst family is still just right here,
But everyone’s changed over a course of one year.
Let’s tell right now how everyone’s been,
In the prettiest family that you’ve ever seen.
The minivan was sold this year.
To all Companies worth nothing, though to us so dear.
But maybe it’s a good thing, that our Christy was sold,
For it might have been fatal, as now shall be told.
The Kraken was hit in the side by a hound,
The minivan would’ve been totaled, no doubt,
But that good ol’ Kraken saved us, when we might’ve been killed,
But that Kraken’s very hungry. Just imagine the gas bill!
Dad has turned 42, though he isn’t looking old.
He still takes walks in the morning, though now he works from home.
He looks all the stronger, for all his fifty pull-ups.
And he still has got it in him, and he still can run and jump.
Mommy’s getting older, too, though neither parent looks it,
And all of our Christmas shopping, well, Mommy books it!
She made some pillowcases and did a few more things this advent,
And all us kids keep shouting “go on, Mommy, go keep at it!”
Atticus is twelve years old! He already eats enough,
If he simply keeps on growing how shall we pay for the stuff!
He’s five feet tall, a tree, I think, he could fell,
And he definitely, definitely knows how to yell!
I, Penelope, am older now, too!
I have more responsibility, more things to do.
I am kind of emotional, I have to admit.
But my imagination hasn’t changed a bit!
Finneas is still just as rowdy as ever.
It’s really fun having him as a brother.
He’s got a crazy sense of humor, it’s kinda a bit farty,
But no one else comes close when we are having a dance party!
Laurelai cries less now, she’s very silly,
And no one else in the whole wide world is even half as giggly!
She still loved unicorns, candy, icicles,
And she loves “mouse on a motorcycle”
Rocco hasn’t broken any bones, absolutely none this year,
Luckily for us; last time it was a whole ordeal!
He still is just as solid, and very very nice,
But he cannot put his tongue on very cold ice.
Callista is pretty much the same ol sass
She keeps insisting she’s the boss.
She’s spicy, she’s sweet, she’s a little Missus
And she comes up with the best sentences.
Juniper is still too perfect, she’s pretty much the same,
But now she’s learned, just how to say her name!
She dances so sillily, in her own special way,
And she’ll tell you that “Pup, Pup, Pup”, is what the fishies say.
Stumpi is bigger! It’s actually true!
I know it sounds crazy, but I won’t bend the truth.
She looks less gloomy, and a bit more tall,
But her enclosure’s getting too small!
All of us together be,
The giant Van Voorst family,
From story club to blood on three,
From power clap to all “RETREATS!”
Now this Poem’s almost through,
I’ve covered everyone, what’s left to do,
Is to shout out in loudest cheer…………
2020’S BEEN A PRETTY COOL YEAR
New Year’s Eve Poem
Van Voorst Family Year in Review
December 31, 2020
…
It is fitting again as another year ends,
That we set aside time to review where we’ve been
For if hindsight’s Twenty Twenty then tonight is the night
To review what we viewed while it’s still clear in sight,
To recall all God’s done for our family and friends,
To remember the mess and the blessing it’s been.
It goes without saying, ‘less you ain’t got a clue
That the more things a change, that the less they’re anew.
So when peeps be all cray a shocked face I don’t wear
As they keep to six feet with a mask covering theirs
As though space were a cure and a panic approved
The lock down of the world for a glorified flu.
But enough about that, that’s not all that went down,
There was also Ashland and then Boonville’s playground.
There was working from home, long walks passing Edgar,
Fun nights watching Andy, and selling Christy Chrysler.
Ice cream after pizza on most Fridays was found,
Keep the party alive! I can still hear the sound.
Saturday Dadurday: burritos for breakfast,
Coffee n’ Cash, army ants, and typing that’s endless.
Then sit down for dinner as it’s time for a bite,
‘Cuz it’s S-A-T-U-R… D-A-Y night!
Wake up it’s the Sabbath, but no need to get dressed,
Sunday service from home since they mandated masks.
Sunday afternoons mean naps, Sunday nights mean movies,
Sometimes popcorn parties, other times it’s retreaties.
Most nights it’s Story Club where Big Red is the prize,
Some nights it’s couch training, where we get catechized.
Whatever day or night, we always have a ball.
E’ryday’s a holiday, when a Van Voorst you’re called.
As for Todd, he read books: three hundred if countin’
Began working from home, began teaching Latin,
Kept fasting on weekdays, kept his showers chilly,
Kept feasting on Sundays and became a postmilly.
Grew a beard like a goat til it’s death was for certain
Passed insurance exams and preached a few sermons.
As for Paige, she read too; kept the library busy,
Holding books like a boss like she holds down the hizzy.
Painting walls, seeding lawns, cleaning trim, washing clothes,
Making cheese, baking bread, taking names, now you knows.
She ate steak by the pound, drank her iced coffee down,
And caught a ride on the Trump train before it left town.
If you’re looking Ad, I’d suggest a few spaces
Begin in the kitchen, if not there try the basement.
Unless he’s out playing, enjoying the blue skies,
Either building a truck or battlin’ the bad guys.
But if there are tacos, that’s where he’ll be dispatched,
His black hat on his head, his hunger never matched.
Next is Penelope, that growing godly girl,
Her brain full of brilliance and her head full of curls.
She loves Harry Potter and read it all again,
She’s learning how to cook, how to look, and Latin.
Her Google docs are full, her typing spells are long,
She reads her Bible daily, fills our house with her songs.
Then there’s that Finneas, the best joke teller ‘round
He can preach a sermon and punch you to the ground.
He’s learning the guitar, likes chili best by far,
Wants a Hummer for his car, and is going to be a star.
He loves his family and likes when they’re around,
He knows what he believes and he will not back down.
Next is Laurelai, that little muscle miss,
Never missing a good-bye or forgetting a kiss
She’s as strong as an ox though the size of a fairy,
She likes Buckingham’s and loves to drink dairy.
Her drawings are awesome, her jokes are just the best,
She always prays for others and they all call her blessed.
The littlest man is by no means the lightest
Rocco’s more pounds per square inch and his smile is the brightest
He’s quick to obey, takes a nap like a champ
He’s the star of most plays and breaks winds on your lap
His head may be a boulder but his brains might be the sharpest
He’s a cannonball for Christ, not afraid of the darkness!
Never to be ignored, up next is Lissa Lou
Callista is her name… and she’s standing right behind YOU!
Full of vim and vigor, never without opinion,
Always ready to throw down and make the masses her minions
She likes to do her “jobs,” she once cut her own hair,
Her arms cross when she’s grumpy, she super really doesn’t care.
Last but not least of all, it’s Juniper Elise,
Youngest of the ladies, but chunkiest the cheeks.
Her belly is a bubble, her eyes are beautiful,
Her buns are causing trouble, her thighs and thick and full.
She loves a plate of veggies, she likes my water bottle,
We love our little June-bug, we love to watch her waddle.
So here’s to the year and to many more like it
So raise up your cups and your spirits just like it
By this time next year, in a brand new December
We’ll have more things to praise and new things to remember
We’ll have more things to list and more to applaud
More memories, more bliss, and more blessings from God
To be a Van Voorst is, of course, a delight
And to be full of joy is to join in the fight
For this feasting's a foretaste of the land where we're going
'Cuz with milk and with honey it's a land overflowing
So tonight we say, “thank You” and look forward to more
And tonight we say, “cheers!” like we’ve been here before.
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