Just One Cookie #Christmas #Joy

He really wasn’t a Scrooge he just didn’t like giving gifts.

He wasn’t a mean guy he just didn’t like people.

Then there came a day when a little boy maybe 2 or 3 rushed up to this man who had seen the underside of war and needed a bottle to sober him.

“Mister, mister please come look at the tree with me. I love lights.” Before the man could object the little boy grabbed the man and pulled him down the hallway toward the Christmas tree.

Many of the vets who lived at the hospital were sharing eggnog and cookies.

“I love Christmas cookies.” The little’s boy’s eyes lit up.

“Well let us have some then my friend.” The man’s face was less pinched.

I watched as my little boy sat on the lap of this man. He couldnt stop talkign and the man didnt seem to mind the chatter.

When we finally had to go, My boy said “same time next week?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

What would the world be without the joy, wonder and kindness of children?

***

” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Wishing a Merry Christmas to Family and Friends near and far!!!!

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Not Under a Tree #gifts #children #Christmas

Please enjoy this montage of poetry over the next several days. These true vignettes represent what I believe the true spirit of Christmas to b:

Generous the soul that gives

what little he possess

in such a manner shed a light

a heart the greatest gift

***

 

There was a boy not old nor young

of two sisters he was glad

He wasn’t strong nor was he weak

protective heart he had

There came a season barren, cold

his family had but little

warmth  abundant at the hearth

holidays always special

I’d known this boy a little time

a leader in the making

challenges were plenty big

cleft palate, one of many

bad was the year for all

our work was in the past

my children knew Christmas joy

in friendships that would last

gathered underneath our tree

bundled what we had

took shiny gifts and things

Merry, joyful, glad

love came too

that Christmas Eve

Six children

danced with glee

That little boy looked to my son

“like you someday I’ll be”

into his hand he placed his trust

“it’s Christmas time you’ll see”

what we learned that Christmas year

is hard to put to words

smiles tell a thousand things

with stars they sing the verse

 

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Opening to the sun above.

 

Lens of Yesterdays #poetry #memories

 

“Who is that?” My daughter asks as she filters through 100 year old snapshots.

“I never heard their story. I was only a child when I looked at these photos last.”

“Which side of the family are they from?” She looks for any family likenesses.

“They look like dad’s family. I’m glad these didn’t get thrown away.”

“Who is this?”

“I think it’s my great-grandfather. I don’t know much about him. I think he was a grocer. That’s your grandfather when he was a little boy and this is your great-grandmother. I think you look the most like her.”

My daughter squints her eyes to see some resemblance.

My family and their past is in a black and white capsule. Much of what remains is in a shoe box. The family farm is gone and all the antiques burned up in a fire several years ago. I want to carry forth their past but there is so little that I know.

***

 

Box of sepia prints

few faces recognized

memories lost

*

little hands

smile covered with icing

I still hear that voice

*

brush away tears

people long gone

puddle in kodachrome

*

One of things that we do with family is look at old family photos. There are so many dialogues. One thing is a constant we continue to make memories even as we look at the past.

Enjoy the memory making with family!!

 

 

 

 

The Gift Giver #Christmas #giving #generosity #children

 

Generous the soul that gives

what little he possess

in such a manner shed a light

gave life’s gift away

***

~Some stories are easier to tell in prose~

There was a boy neither old nor young he had two little sisters.

He wasn’t strong nor was he weak but always a protector.

There came a season barren, cold his family had but little

warmth  they always had, the holidays were special .

I’d known this boy about  a year

a leader one day it was clear.

His challenges were plenty

disability one of many

bad was the year and business worse

 our family agreed these children had worth.

Mine gathered from under the tree

they’d learned kindness and generosity

we took these gifts that Christmas Eve

Six children danced with joy and glee

That little boy looked to my son

 eyes full of glimmers and fun

 what he loved most with to play

 A big heart he gave this thing away.

I remember Leon at this season

knowing his struggles had a reason

 

And with Leon, we celebrate the greatest gift giver of all times…

” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

 

Wishing a Merry Christmas to Family and Friends near and far!!!!