Merry Christmas

nivek

As Above So Below
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and enjoys this holiday weekend...

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The shadow

The shadow knows!
T'was the night before Christmas
He lived all alone, in a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
To see just who,
in this dwelling did live.

I looked around
A strange sight to see
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

On the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
Medals 'n badges, awards of every kind;
A sobering thought came alive in my mind.

This house was different...
it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier,
I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, Alone; Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder;
Not at all how I pictured
a brave, courageous, soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read;
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families
I saw this night,
Owed their lives to soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

In the morning, round the world,
Children would play;
Grown-ups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.

But they all enjoy freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In lands far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eyes;
I dropped to my knees,
I started to cry.

The soldier awakened
I heard his rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is MY Choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more;
My life is my God,
My country, My corps."

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep.
But, I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still;
As both of us shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave him
On that cold, dark night;
This guardian of honour,
So willing to fight.

Then, the soldier rolled over,
In a voice soft and pure,
He whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
I knew he was right:
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night.

Marine Corps Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt 1986

Source: With a slight change of working, this poem has become known as - "A Soldier's Silent Night"

The original poem "Merry Christmas, My Friend"
 

pepe

Celestial
Happy Xmas to everybody on here and to anyone just reading. If next year isn't better than the last few i'm going for a full refund.

To nivek, hope you are spending your holidays working on your new romance.

For the first time in a long while I feel optimistic for 2023.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
To nivek, hope you are spending your holidays working on your new romance.
Thanks, with 9 days off before I have to return to work we have plenty of time...We're also going out of town for a couple days next weekend for New Years...

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The shadow

The shadow knows!
Best Christmas ever my twins are home. Little josh celebrated his 1sy with love and family. What more can I ask
 

pepe

Celestial
Thanks, with 9 days off before I have to return to work we have plenty of time...We're also going out of town for a couple days next weekend for New Years...

...

I miss the times with that feeling of new possibilities and endeavours, that's a good thing. I'm off around the same amount of time and kick the new year off with a private paint job for hopefully a new client.

It makes me smile and nod to know you have hooked up nivek.

Have a right old time of it.
 

Rikki

High Priestess
That bag is for dad," said our daughter Debbie.
It was near his feet beside the Christmas tree. It was a nicely used leather backpack, "But why would they get me another bag? He asked "I like the one I have well enough." He reached down to grab it, and––He had thought it empty––noticed it was heavy, " there's something inside, "he said.
So he stooped down to open it, and when he saw what was inside, He just burst into tears. This may sound silly, but we're not rich, and I don't even know how we shall ever retire. The cost of the books of his childhood is such that he had already made peace with never having them again except as PDFs. That was all right, I thought, but holding these in his hands, reading them, and turning the pages seeing the joy on his face was a beautiful experience. he stood and said "This is the best Christmas surprise I've had since I was in my teens. It was totally unexpected; I had no idea you had done this." Debbie also teared up "you gave Kate and I the best childhood dad. we wanted to give you yours back. " and so he got back a small part of his youth.no greater love was shown yesterday as my husband repaid in full by our now adult daughters.
3 fold blessings upon them.
Blessed be.
Rikkipack 2.jpgpack 3.jpgpack 4.jpgpack.jpg
 

The shadow

The shadow knows!
These are extra special signed by Gary gygax the man!
 
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