A Different Christmas Poem

I found this on the All Brands Sew Forum and thought it was worth posting about. So many soldiers will be away from their families this Christmas to fight for our freedom. Please keep them in your prayers and remember them by sending cards and packages.



A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,"
Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.

"Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Packages for Troops

One of my co-worker's wife coordinates packages to our troops. The last couple of years, employees where I work collect things and send them to a unit overseas. We get the name of a unit and what they need from her and send the items in the priority mail boxes that cost $9.95 to send anywhere in the world. We always get a letter from the unit expressing their appreciation. It has to be tough to be away from home and loved ones especially during the holidays.

Maybe you can do that at your work place also. The boxes have to be sent usually be the end of November to make it for Christmas so time is getting short.

Little Girl Dresses for a Needy Family

Today was quite a busy day. I left to go shopping around 7:30AM and got back at about 2PM. I went to Hobby Lobby, the Mall, Burlington Coat Factory, Tanger Outlet, KMart and the Flea Market. I managed to get quite alot of Christmas shopping done. We pulled names yesterday so I not only have to shop for myself, but also for my mom, half sister and son. After Thanksgiving, I get in a hurry to complete the Christmas shopping so I can concentrate on the meals.

After shopping and taking a short nap, I started sewing while watching the LSU game. (which was very disappointing when they lost to Arkansas in the 3rd overtime).

Every year the employees of our company adopt a family to help at Christmas. This year's family has a set of twins and a 4 year old. Since they are all girls, I decided to make them matching dresses. Here is the almost finished product. I still have the buttons and button holes down the back to complete. I found this embroidered corduoroy fabric at Hancock Fabric along with the hot pink twill lining.

For the last couple of years, we have also adopted a military unit that we collect items for and send out at the beginning of December. This year we are sending items to a unit in Afghanistan. My heart goes out to the troops that will be spending Christmas so far away from home and to their families who won't have their loved ones with them during the holidays.

Christmas is a time of giving so consider donating items for the military or a needy family. There are so many opportunities available to help someone, whether it be a co-worker, family, neighbor, the troops or someone you don't know. The benefits can be as good for the giver as the reciever.