By Melanie and Brandon Lefebvre
‘Twas the night before Christmas,
when all in my head,
The thoughts they were stirring,
while I lay in my bed.

The stockings weren’t hung,
by the chimney with care,
To ensure that both cats,
come morning were there.

The kitties were nestled,
all snug on the bed,
While visions of death,
danced in my head.

With Clive all curled up,
and Doug on my lap,
I had trouble settling in,
for a long winter’s nap.

While up in my mind,
the thoughts wouldn’t scatter,
The doubt and the fear,
just went pitter patter.

I ran down the stairs,
in a midnight mad dash.
The compulsion to check,
had spread like a rash.

Had I put them away?
I just had to know.
Could they be on the mantle,
just left out for show?

Approaching the chimney,
it soon became clear.
My OCD fooled me,
I succumbed to the fear.

The stockings were stored,
yet again I’d been tricked.
And doubting my actions,
had made me feel sick.

I returned to my bed,
all ridden with shame,
When checking you know,
OCD is to blame.

Now down again, up again,
Checking left me unsure,
With all of this doubt,
I hoped for a cure.

OCD was convincing,
of that I won’t lie.
I’d grown tired of fearing,
that my cats could die.

Maybe come morning,
it was time for a call,
To get peace from a therapist,
once and for all.

—

Special thanks to my husband and the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore (1823). Following the poem’s format was a fun way to spread OCD awareness together.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Melanie, Brandon, Clive and Doug