Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!





Mom and her daughters
Susan, Laura and Teresa



IT’S CHRISTMAS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE 
Published Great South Bay, 50 + Life, This Week 


At Christmas, Mother serenaded the family all through the house with her own written Christmas Carol she wrote, aptly entitled, “It’s Christmas All Through the House,” accompany by her piano instrumental of the song’s musical score and verse she wrote. Time wrapped itself with every note she sang, a part of long ago singing across time.   

My Mother’s (Helen Fischetti) passion was song writing.  Her creative song writing was a hiatus from daily life.   Her musical repertoire were numerous songs, yet, “It’s Christmas All Through the House” remained her favorite and was brought out every holiday year at Christmas; fostering a sense of family belonging by sharing Mother’s traditional song at our gathering. . 

Alas, her song went unpublished.  Perhaps to compensate for the unpublished song, I sought to memorialize her favorite song, “It’s Christmas All Through the House,” by way of laminating a copy of her handwritten musical score onto a decorative plaque suitable for display, as my Christmas gift to her.  I am anything if not sentimental.

The gift touched my Mother’s heart and love of music.  I felt it important that I remember this snapshot of time when Mother opened my gift brought out every year at Christmastime. I can still envision my Mother opening the gift and how happy she was. If music is the food of love – play on. 

Mother was so pleased by my Christmas gift she displayed the plaque above her beloved piano. The plaque held the spotlight above her piano until she passed away.

After she passed, my gift was returned to me. I display the plaque in my living room where her song, “It’s Christmas All Through the House,” continues to be “heard” all through the house.   Sometimes the best gift is the one that is returned. 

Susan Marie Davniero (Fischetti)






N.Y. films have affairs to remember

Thursday, December 20, 2007, 10:20 PM
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'Miracle on 34th St.'
Published NY Daily News
When we asked for your favorite local holiday movies, we had a feeling one might pull ahead of the pack--and you didn't prove us entirely wrong.

"My favorite is 'Miracle on 34th Street,'" says Susan Marie Davniero, "given that it celebrates the meaning of the holiday season: you have to believe even when common sense tells you not to. Watching it is like unwrapping a gift. Miracles do come true in the movies."

IT’S CHRISTMAS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE
(Published Life Style Plus) 


With a wreath on the door
And a light for a stranger
It’s Christmas all through the house


With a star on the tree
And a babe in the manger
It’s Christmas all through the house


I can see the candles glowing
Hear the carols in the air
Out in the night it’s gently snowing to say-
It’s Christmas everywhere!


With hope in our hearts
And a love for our neighbor
It’s Christmas all through the house


I can hear the angels singing
And they promise peace on earth
Their song divine to us comes
Bringing the story of His holy birth


With a prayer on our lips
And a song as we labor
It’s Christmas all through the house


Words and Music by Helen Fischetti 
(submitted by her daughter Susan Marie Davniero)




 

Published:  Long Story Short: Poetry Page December 2011

 

IT'S MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE



That time of year
Our Mother dear
Is baking again
Her special blend
Fruits and spices bake
It’s Mother’s
Christmas fruit cake!

A Mother’s love entice
Asking; “Want a slice?”
A looming silent lull
Meets with a “We’re full.”
We pass the plate
It’s Mother’s
Christmas fruit cake!

Susan Marie Davniero



SUSAN MARIE DAVNIERO is a published poet listed in "The Poet's Market 2011." She writes in traditional rhyme verse and has been published in various publications including Great South Bay Magazine, Write On!, The Poet's Art, Creations Magazine, Poetic Matrix, Pink Chameleon, Shemom, and others. She has also written essays and letters published in newspapers and magazines. They don't know her; yet, by way of writing they might. She is never at a loss of words. She has found her place as a writer and a poet. With every poem published she is inspired to write more. Writing feeds her soul - literally food for thought.

lsspoetry.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-2011-poetry-page.html






Our Christmas Tree with Stripes



Our Christmas Tree




Published Pancakes in Heaven
 
We gather by thee

Our Christmas tree

All that is bright

Shine by its lights

Gracing the top behold
An angel sits of gold

Merry ornaments sway

Where joyful garland lay

The room scented with pine

Fills our home at holiday time

Beneath the trees shade

Our presents are laid

This holiday to see

Our Christmas tree 

By Susan Marie Davniero
 


Toys Night Out
Published Long Story Short

One magical night on Christmas Eve

Looking for toys Santa would leave

Turn on the string of lights

On the Christmas tree tonight

Suddenly from under the tree

Toys came alive magically

Dancing and playing around

The living room was their playground

Toy soldiers marching in a row

Dolls tying hair ribbon bows

Stuffed Teddy bears danced

as the wind up cat pranced

The toys grew tired of the pace

and went back in their place

This was a Christmas mystery

as toys were wrapped under the tree

Turn off the moonlight

Turn on the sunlight

What was Christmas Eve all about?

It came be simply Toys night out

Susan Marie Davniero, Lindenhurst, NY






CHRISTMAS BELLS
Published Coffee Grounds in Heaven
Let us rejoice
Harmony in voice
Carolers in rhyme
With every chime
Christmas bells ring
Gathering we sing
Today all is well
Hear Christmas Bells
Susan Marie Davniero





Mom, Helen Fischetti


Great South Bay Poetry

At Christmas Time

by Susan Marie Davniero







Dec/Jan issue      







Christmas Eve night
Holiday sight
Stockers are hung
Carols are sung
Blessed Angels sing
Behold the King
Nativity hearth
Peace on earth
Neighbors call
Goodwill to all
Church bells chime
At Christmas Time
At Christmas time
















Susan and Bob Christmas Buffet
Stephanie and Billy's Christmas Gifts
for Susan and Laura
Susan Laura and Teresa 
with Dennis the Menace Pupperts
Add caption

My Sisters and I with Santa
Teresa, Susan and Laura




SANTA PULLS THE CHRISTMAS STRINGS

Published Long Story Short, Great South Bay

It was a Christmas morning of yesterday

When our stockings hung on the stairway

My sisters and I hurried down the stairs

To find our Christmas stocking gifts there

Santa came and gave my sisters and me,

Puppets from ‘Dennis the Menace’ family

Santa gave me the wife with blonde tresses

Teresa unwrap the Dad puppet wearing glasses

Laura’s gift was Dennis the child of the three

‘Tis all came to be our Christmas destiny

For one day I grew up to become a wife,

Teresa wore glasses most of her life,

And Laura had a happy life

When Dennis made her his wife

This is a memory that Christmas brings

When Santa pulled the Christmas strings

by Susan Marie Davniero





Unwrapping Christmas Day
(Dedicated to husband, Bob)

Published Long Story Short



My husband Bob’s birthday

Is nearby Christmas Day

His December 23 birthday

Comes only two days away

Christmas Eve is tomorrow

And yet it is Bob who follows

The Lord Jesus Holy way

Unwrapping Christmas Day

Wishing Bob Happy Birthday




written by Susan Marie Davniero






 
 
Christmas birthday card to Bob from Mom 



Great South Bay Magazine

Santa’s Wink
by Susan Marie Davniero



December Issue











Santa’s wink
Christmas link
Makes me think
If my gift will be
Under the tree
Is Santa and me


The Greatest Christmas Gift of All
Published Long Story Short

Let’s go down the street to the two story brick house where I grew up. It was a street stretching blocks where tall oak trees looked down on us. Christmas was in the air. The peace of night was highlighted by brightly mult-colored Christmas lights from houses. Dad was known to build Christmas Decorations – one year Angels, another Choir another big Christmas Card. This year was the Angels in blue robes.

I rose before sunlight as Christmas lights still were lit in the morning dawn. It seem so long ago when I was 5 when I Love Lucy aired (my twin and I were born the same year as Little Ricky) and records were 35m discs.

That Christmas morning frost framed the window I peeked out of looking for Santa’s sleigh tracks in the snow. Frost and snow meant Christmas to me. It was a magical time when I believed in Santa Claus. I just started school that year and class mates spread the rumor there was no Santa Claus. But I knew that morning looking at his sleigh tracks Santa was real.

I quickly buttoned my pink quilted robe with the flowers and hurried downstairs with my sisters in pursuit of our Christmas gifts under the tree. Mom and Dad awoke when they heard us and slowly shuffle down the hall to the living room in slippers and robes smiling looking at the festive scene cast of their little girls under the tree unwrapping gifts.

Santa Claus came. I thought I must have been a good girl this year because Santa gave me the doll I wanted. It was the exact doll I showed Mom that I wanted at the stores, the doll almost as tall as me with curly red hair and painted pink cheeks. Santa heard my wish.

Looking back I know now that it was Mom who brought me the doll and it was Dad who laid “Santa’s sleigh tracks.” Yet, the magical memories are still there. Alas, today I may no longer believe in Santa but I believe in something far greater – the greatest Christmas gift of all – Jesus born on Christmas Day. If you believe in God – it’s Christmas every day - perhaps Santa Claus is real after all.

Written by Susan Marie Davniero



Susan Laura and Teresa
Dennis the Menace Pupperts


My Sisters and I with Santa
Teresa, Susan and Laura




SANTA PULLS THE CHRISTMAS STRINGS

Published Long Story Short

It was a Christmas morning of yesterday

When our stockings hung on the stairway

My sisters and I hurried down the stairs

To find our Christmas stocking gifts there

Santa came and gave my sisters and me,

Puppets from ‘Dennis the Menace’ family

Santa gave me the wife with blonde tresses

Teresa unwrap the Dad puppet wearing glasses

Laura’s gift was Dennis the child of the three

‘Tis all came to be our Christmas destiny

For one day I grew up to become a wife,

Teresa wore glasses most of her life,

And Laura had a happy life

When Dennis made her his wife

This is a memory that Christmas brings

When Santa pulled the Christmas strings

by Susan Marie Davniero




Voice of the People

NY DAILY NEWS - Voice of the People

Letters on Christmas

Voice of the People for Dec. 25, 2014

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sing it!
Lindenhurst, L.I.: Perhaps contestants on the TV show “The Voice” sing from their mouths to God’s ears. During this holy season we question if the show’s title is Bible plagiarism. The English translation published in 2011 (same year as “The Voice” debuted) is titled “The Voice,” as the sacred Scriptures speak of “the Voice of God.”
Susan and Bob Davierno


Great South Bay Magazine   
    
Santa’s Wink
by Susan Marie Davniero


December Issue      










Santa’s wink
Christmas link
Makes me think
If my gift will be
Under the tree
Is Santa and me


The Greatest Christmas Gift of All
Published Long Story Short

Let’s go down the street to the two story brick house where I grew up. It was a street stretching blocks where tall oak trees looked down on us. Christmas was in the air. The peace of night was highlighted by brightly mult-colored Christmas lights from houses. Dad was known to build Christmas Decorations – one year Angels, another Choir another big Christmas Card. This year was the Angels in blue robes.  

I rose before sunlight as Christmas lights still were lit in the morning dawn. It seem so long ago when I was 5 when I Love Lucy aired (my twin and I were born the same year as Little Ricky) and records were 35m discs.

That Christmas morning frost framed the window I peeked out of looking for Santa’s sleigh tracks in the snow. Frost and snow meant Christmas to me. It was a magical time when I believed in Santa Claus. I just started school that year and class mates spread the rumor there was no Santa Claus. But I knew that morning looking at his sleigh tracks Santa was real.  

I quickly buttoned my pink quilted robe with the flowers and hurried downstairs with my sisters in pursuit of our Christmas gifts under the tree. Mom and Dad awoke when they heard us and slowly shuffle down the hall to the living room in slippers and robes smiling looking at the festive scene cast of their little girls under the tree unwrapping gifts.

 Santa Claus came. I thought I must have been a good girl this year because Santa gave me the doll I wanted. It was the exact doll I showed Mom that I wanted at the stores, the doll almost as tall as me with curly red hair and painted pink cheeks. Santa heard my wish.

Looking back I know now that it was Mom who brought me the doll and it was Dad who laid “Santa’s sleigh tracks.” Yet, the magical memories are still there. Alas, today I may no longer believe in Santa but I believe in something far greater – the greatest Christmas gift of all – Jesus born on Christmas Day. If you believe in God – it’s Christmas every day - perhaps Santa Claus is real after all.

Written by Susan Marie Davniero



Susan, Bob, his Mother, Gig and her husband, Al







N.Y. films have affairs to remember

                                   New York Daily News












'Miracle on 34th St.''Miracle on 34th St.'
When we asked for your favorite local holiday movies, we had a feeling one might pull ahead of the pack--and you didn't prove us entirely wrong.
"My favorite is 'Miracle on 34th Street,'" Susan Marie Davniero, "given that it celebrates the meaning of the holiday season: you have to believe even when common sense tells you not to. Watching it is like unwrapping a gift. Miracles do come true in the movies."















Bobbie at Christmas 1954













A Christmas Story  

Published US Catholic Magazine
by Susan Marie Davniero




A Christmas Story - The story started with the birth of Jesus. The Word of God rejoices for Son of God gave voice.  His teachings of faith conceive for the faithful to believe. Thus, lives divinity and humanity in one man – the Son of God.


At this Christmas season we shall embrace the whole story in all its glory - the Blessed Birth in a manager, leading to the cross to rise from the empty tomb to the Holy Rebirth of Resurrection. A Christmas Story is all one story.


Thus, the birth of Jesus on Christmas to the resurrection of Easter is all one story – a story without end. Thus, the Word of God foretold - the greatest story ever told. 


Susan Marie Davniero










A Christmas Story

A Poem


Sacred Word of God rejoice


Son of God Jesus gave voice


Teachings of faith conceive


For the faithful to believe

From the blessed Divine birth

To Holy Resurrection rebirth

Behold Son of God’s glory  

For it is all one story

The Word of God foretold

The greatest story ever told


By Susan Marie Davniero

 DAILY NEWS
Published December 24, 2013
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time when I unwrap all the priceless gifts I receive. These are a few of my favorite things - church choir carols, warm glow of the fireplace, snowflakes falling, twinkling lights on the Christmas tree, a kiss under the mistletoe with friends and family.

Find the comfort and joy of the season – the best things in life
are not things. Memories are made of this – spending family time with loved ones without spending money. Being together as a family is a gift.

You may not receive all the gifts on your list under the Christmas tree – yet you probably received all that you need in the priceless gifts of faith, love, family and friendship.

Susan and Robert Davniero


CHRISTMAS ETCHING
ORIGINAL HS ARTWORK BY SUSAN


DAD’S CHRISTMAS EVE

(Published Pancakes in Heaven)

Christmas Eve tonight
Behold the sight
Scene of celebration
Dad’s rite of tradition
Welcome and greet
Relatives meet
Dad’s the host
For anisette toast
Feast on table spread
For the night ahead
Meal of seven fish
Christmas Eve dish
The family dines
Antipasto and wines
Blessed are we
In Dad’s family
Years passed
The feast didn’t last
This time of year
To shed a tear
From a hospital bed
No more was said
A holiday to grieve
Dad’s Christmas Eve
by Susan Marie Davniero

Coffee Grounds for Breakfast Published 
I Believe in Christmas
I believe in Christmas. I believe in keeping Christ in Christmas. I believe in our Savior Jesus Christ.
That being said, however, I also believe in Free Will and Freedom of Religion. Thus, I would not be presumptuous to impose my beliefs on others by my choice of Merry Christmas greeting. 
Perhaps by saying Merry Christmas to everyone, irrespective of their own belief, could be perceived as judgmental, intolerant and arrogant and not very Christmas like as Christians. What would Jesus do – say Happy Birthday to Himself?
I believe the Christmas way is brotherhood, to let people be, for we are all God’s children in His family. I believe in Christmas love afar – to love all people just the way they are. I pray that all people will believe in the Christmas way. 
Susan

Keep Christmas Every Day
(Published LI Catholic Mag)

Let’s keep Christmas every day…peace; love and charity of the holiday season are needed to be near us all year long. Why can’t people always act like its Christmas? After all, we are all God’s children in His family. It can feel like Christmas every day celebrating and glorifying the birth of Jesus. Perhaps, we shall live in harmony reaching out to others in need and loving thy neighbor. We might aim to leave the world better than how we found it.


Missing the joyful cheer and worship of Christmas songs from the holiday season I tune to spiritual music on the radio that reminds me of the holiday songs. It feels like Christmas every Day when I listen to spiritual gospel music heard on radio stations such as Family Radio or Calvary Chapel of Hope WGSS-FM.


Let's keep Christmas all year long. If anyone is missing Christmas, you can find it at Church. Walking into the church, is like unwrapping a Christmas gift that lasts all year. It's Christmas every day at Church singing gospel songs in worship and praise of our Father. We are family. Come home to the Church. You can go home after all.


Susan and Robert Davniero



Published Pink Chameleon
Santa Pulls The Christmas Strings

by Susan Marie Davniero

I recall the Christmas morning of yesteryear when I was growing up. That morning my sisters and I hurried downstairs to our red and white checkered Christmas Stockings with our names in sparkles. In each, we found one puppet from the “Dennis the Menace” set.

Happily by chance there were three puppets in the set — one for each of us. Maybe that was why Santa gave us the set of three, knowing that my parents always taught us to share and share alike.c
Santa gave me the mother/ wife character puppet with blond hair wearing an apron, because Mom always told me I had a heart of gold, Santa gave my older sister, Teresa, the father puppet for she was the older sister, and my twin sister, Laura, received the star puppet — Dennis the little rascal running around town — much like Laura’s high spirit.

But who knew that I would grow up to be a wife; Teresa would wear glasses and Laura would grow up to marry a man named, Dennis, a little rascal of his own — yet this time she didn’t pull the strings.
c Apparently Santa knew and pulls the strings on Christmas. Santa knows best after all.






Santa Pulls The Christmas Strings

It was a Christmas morning of yesterday
v When our stockings hung on the stairway
My sisters and I hurried down the stairs
To find our Christmas stocking gifts there
Santa came and gave my sisters and me,
Puppets from ‘Dennis the Menace’ family

Santa gave me the wife with blond tresses
Teresa unwrapped the Dad puppet wearing glasses
Laura’s gift was Dennis the child of the three.
‘Tis all came to be our Christmas destiny
For one day I grew up to become a wife,
Teresa wore glasses most of her life,
and Laura fell in love with and wed,
to a man named Dennis united.

This is a memory that Christmas brings
When Santa pulled the Christmas strings


— Susan Marie Davniero







COFFEE, DAD AND ME
(published Newsday Expressway)
(In memory of Gerard Fischetti)
by Susan Marie Davniero


I was only five that Christmas morn


When I woke at the crack of dawn


I dash to look under the Christmas tree


To find a Christmas present just for me


It was a tea cup set in blue plastic


Packaging read toy Wedgewood replica


With tea cup and saucer in my hand


To the kitchen in slippers scurrying I ran


I went to pour coffee for Dad and me


He preferred coffee to a pot of tea


Drinking from my cup to my lip


Plastic bitter taste with every sip


Although just the same


Daddy didn’t want to complain


He had good taste and was polite


Even if the coffee he didn’t like


I knew he did it because he loved me


More than he loved any cup of coffee


That one Christmas season


My Dad taught me a lesson


Sometimes good taste would


Not always taste good
My Dad, Gerard Fischetti, 


Published Long Story Short





























Savarin Coffee Tv Commercials


Years ago, there was a commercial for Savarin coffee featuring a character known only as El Exigente … the demanding one … Oh, sure, it was great to be able to record TV shows to watch at our convenience. But remember the first time the power failed?
It makes his debut today in the New York as a TV spokesman for Savarin instant coffee. In the commercial by Smith/Greenland, the white-hatted and suited coffee connoisseur arrives by cab at a supermarket to check the ”incredible” report that some instant …
Expressway: Coffee, dad and me on Christmas morning – I could smell Savarin-brand coffee brewing. It was the only kind my dad drank. When we grew up in the 1960s, my sisters and I called our dad the "El Exigente," the demanding character in Savarin’s TV commercials … Susan Marie Davniero lives in Lindenhurst.



UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS DAY
Publish Long Story Short 
(Dedicated to my husband, Bob)




by Susan Marie Davniero




My husband Bob’s birthday


Is nearby Christmas Day


His December 23 birthday


Comes only two days away


Christmas Eve is tomorrow


And yet it is Bob who follows


The Lord Jesus’ Holy way


Unwrapping Christmas Day


Wishing Bob Happy Birthday




Written by Susan Marie Davniero








BON APPETIT TO YESTERYEAR
Published Pink Chameleon 


(In memory of Grandma Bridget Cioffi) 




by Susan Marie Davniero




New Year's Eve of the past


Good old days do not last


Yet memories I can still taste




Welcome to Grandma's home


Scent of homemade pizza roams


Escaping from kitchen room




Suddenly it's New Year's Eve


Midnight pizza pie is served


Yearly family tradition preserved




Slice of Grandma's years


Fall of nostalgia tears


Bon appétit to yesteryear

written by Susan Marie Davniero








Published Babylon Beacon 
Christmas Presents - Christmas is not about the Christmas resents...it is about being present  at Church Mass, visiting, volunteering, or being with the ones you love and family and friends. Give a priceless present of yourself for a true Christmas gift. Be present this Christmas.
Susan and Robert Davniero




Yesterday’s Christmas Blues
Published Pancakes in Heaven

 
After Christmas Day

A snapshot of yesterday

There by trash cans I see

A discarded Christmas tree

Once at bright evergreen  

Is now all but a memory

After Christmas Day I miss

All the blessings of Christmas

Gather all the people and try

To keep the holiday spirit alive

Living each and every day

As if it was Christmas Day

Like returning holiday gifts

Exchange what doesn’t fit     

Yesterday’s Christmas blues

For today’s good news


Written by Susan Marie Davniero


Attachment drawn by Susan Marie Davniero

Friend Margie created Christmas card 1970 HS 

 
I Believe in Christmas
I believe in Christmas
To keep Christ in Christmas
Yet, Merry Christmas we say
May not be the Christmas way
To impose our beliefs as right
Is not very ‘Christmas like’
Let the people disagree
We all God’s children in His family
I believe in Christmas love afar
To love people the way they are
I pray that all people one day
Will believe in the Christmas way.
Written by Susan Marie Davniero

Unwrapping Christmas Day

Dedicated to husband, Bob

Published Long Story Short
My husband Bob’s birthday
Is nearby Christmas Day
His December 23 birthday
Comes only two days away
Christmas Eve is tomorrow
And yet it is Bob who follows
The Lord Jesus Holy way
Unwrapping Christmas Day
Wishing Bob Happy Birthday

written by Susan Marie Davniero







 
Coffee, Dad and Me

(In memory of Gerard Fischetti)
Published Pancakes in Heaven 





I was only five that Christmas morn

When I woke at the crack of dawn

I dash to look under the Christmas tree

To find a Christmas present just for me

It was Tea Cup set in blue plastic

Packaging read toy Wedgewood replica

With tea cup and saucer in my hand

To the kitchen in slippers scurrying I ran

I went to pour coffee for Dad and me

He preferred coffee to a pot of tea

Drinking from my cup to my lip

Plastic bitter taste with every sip

Although just the same

Daddy didn’t want to complain

He had good taste and was polite

Even if the coffee he didn’t like

I knew he did it because he loved me

More than he loved any cup of coffee

That one Christmas season

My Dad taught me a lesson

Sometimes good taste would

Not always taste good




Written by Susan Marie Davniero
Yesterday’s Christmas Blues
After Christmas Day
A snapshot of yesterday
There by trash cans I see
A discarded Christmas tree
Once green and alive tree
Is now all but a memory
After Christmas Day I miss
All the blessings of Christmas
Gather all the people and try
To keep the holiday spirit alive
Living each and every day
As if it was Christmas Day
Like returning holiday gifts
Exchange what doesn’t fit     
Yesterday’s Christmas blues
For today’s good news
Written by Susan Marie Davniero
 
TASTE OF CHRISTMAS PAST

(Published Relish Food Magazine)

I remember a past Christmas when I was a child unwrapping my favorite gift under the Christmas tree – the “Easy Bake Oven.” This gift is a blast from the past.

This “Easy Bake Oven” gave me a taste of baking on my own. A light bulb was all the electricity needed to bake mini cakes. I was a proud little baker sharing my sweets with family and family boasting “I made it myself.” Sweets to the sweets – it was a gift that kept giving with every morsel.

The oven was in good taste, safety first child-proof earning Mom’s "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval." The sweet taste lingers for Christmases yet to come – the food of thought for Christmas.

My childhood’s Christmas gift, the “Easy Bake Oven,” is a taste of Christmas past.

Susan Marie Davniero




The Fischetti Sisters
Teresa, Susan and Laura


SANTA’S WINK

(Published Great South Bay Mag)
Santa’s wink

Christmas link

Makes me think

If my gift will be

Under the tree

Is Santa and me

by Susan Marie Davniero





























Santa Pulls The Christmas Strings

by Susan Marie Davniero

I recall the Christmas morning of yesteryear when I was growing up. That morning my sisters and I hurried downstairs to our red and white checkered Christmas Stockings with our names in sparkles. In each, we found one puppet from the “Dennis the Menace” set.

Happily by chance there were three puppets in the set — one for each of us. Maybe that was why Santa gave us the set of three, knowing that my parents always taught us to share and share alike.c
Santa gave me the mother/ wife character puppet with blond hair wearing an apron, because Mom always told me I had a heart of gold, Santa gave my older sister, Teresa, the father puppet for she was the older sister, and my twin sister, Laura, received the star puppet — Dennis the little rascal running around town — much like Laura’s high spirit.

But who knew that I would grow up to be a wife; Teresa would wear glasses and Laura would grow up to marry a man named, Dennis, a little rascal of his own — yet this time she didn’t pull the strings.
c Apparently Santa knew and pulls the strings on Christmas. Santa knows best after all.


Santa Pulls The Christmas Strings

It was a Christmas morning of yesterday
v When our stockings hung on the stairway
My sisters and I hurried down the stairs
To find our Christmas stocking gifts there
Santa came and gave my sisters and me,
Puppets from ‘Dennis the Menace’ family

Santa gave me the wife with blond tresses
Teresa unwrapped the Dad puppet wearing glasses
Laura’s gift was Dennis the child of the three.
‘Tis all came to be our Christmas destiny
For one day I grew up to become a wife,
Teresa wore glasses most of her life,
and Laura fell in love with and wed,
to a man named Dennis united.

This is a memory that Christmas brings
When Santa pulled the Christmas strings

— Susan Marie Davniero

































Christmas Presents Past
Published Great South Bay Magazine

by Susan Marie Davniero



















I recall the Christmas morning of yesteryear as a child, when my two sisters and I (Laura my twin, Teresa, older sis and me) each found a “Dennis the Menace” puppet in each of our stockings.

Apparently there were three puppets in the set. Santa gave me the mother/wife character puppet. Santa gave Teresa the father puppet of the set. And Laura, Santa gave her the star puppet, Dennis. 

Who could imagine then that Laura would one day grow up to marry a “Dennis?” (Yet this time she didn’t pull the strings.) 

Another Christmas past as teenagers my twin sister, Laura and I received a novelty key chain in our stockings that Mom had brought for us. My key chain had a dangling small rubber boy toy with dark hair and dark eyes. Laura’s key chain had a similar rubber boy toy, but hers had sandy color hair with blue eyes. 

Who knew than we would each grow up to marry “boys” with the same hair and eyes coloring resembling the key chains? Maybe Santa knew. Our husbands were the “boys” who held the key to unlock our hearts. 

I remember a Christmas when I was 19, when Santa gave my sisters and me the same gift. It seems, my mother arranged for a jeweler to design three identical necklaces from her mother’s (my Grandmother Theresa) vintage diamond necklace adorned with four sparklingly diamond stones. The remaining larger stone was created into a necklace for Mom. That Christmas morning under the tree, my sisters and I unwrapped our own individual diamond solitaire diamond necklace on a gold chain - truly a gift that linked us together. I wore this necklace on my wedding day and still wear it today. Diamonds are forever.

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