IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

It’s almost Christmas day

And my heart is very sore.

I have been lately thinking

Of how things were before.

I am sitting by my Christmas tree

With its tinsel and its lights,

I have been thinking very long

About other Christmas nights.

My memory is straying back

To youth and childhood days.

I remember certain presents

I remember tradition and ways.

I remember the smells of cooking  ~

A goose and traditional fare.

I remember a visit to Grandma

I remember brushing her hair.

A Doll’s pram and hand sewn blankets

And Doll’s clothes knitted with care,

A box of beautiful chocolates ~

A doll with flaxen hair.

A walk in the park with my Father

While I pushed the doll’s pram with pride

The look on his face as he watched me

I can still see the love and the pride.

The cot that he made for my “baby”

Big enough for even me

I remember the wrapping of presents

I remember the Christmas tree.

I hold in my heart these memories

Of Lollipops, candles and canes,

I remember riding my pony in winter

Down crisp and cold English lanes.

So now that I am older and wiser

Somewhat tempered by time and its ways,

I cherish the memories of Christmas

As it was in my childhood days.

I remember walking through markets

I remember him asking me

“Is this what you want my darling?”~

I remember him giving it to me.

Nothing was too much trouble

Expense was never spared.

If he thought I wanted it – I had it

I remember the ways he cared.

So as I face life without him

And go on day after days

I remember the love he showed me

In very special ways.

I remember the love and the laughter

The way we would debate and cajole.

I remember how much he loved me

I remember it feeding my soul.

I hope I can be what he wanted   ~

Generous and kind to the core,

I hope that I can be loving

And open friendships door.

So as I stand at the gate of Christmas

And behold the bright New Year,

I clearly wish to acknowledge

That at times I feel some fear.

My life has changed and is different

And courage is what I need

To face the future before me

And blessings my soul to feed.

Linda J. Vaughan

December 22^nd 2003

Love and hugs,