Sitting lazily by the cozy fireplace
As the amber light slowly flickers
My mind and heart longs to replay
Past Christmases in pictures
My contented brain starts to wander
Down the long corridors of time
A wistful smile comes to my face
As the mantle clock starts to chime
The spicy, sweet smell of candies and fruit
Is something I so fondly remember
Mother bought them each and every year
Around the third week of December
We had Christmas plays in church and school
And each child was given a treat
In a brown paper bag with fruit and nuts
We didn't often get something sweet
The Christmas trees cut from the hill
The crooked way they always stood
The snowball fights we had with friends
Living in our neighborhood
Whispering and peeking and hiding gifts
Decorating the Christmas tree
Hanging up all our stockings
Hoping Santa would remember me
The Kentucky winters so cold and fierce
The landscape like a Christmas card
We always had memorable holidays
Though Mother and Daddy had it hard
Christmases with my husband and sons
Always gave me that old-time feeling
Letters to Santa and hints and clues
Their fondest wishes revealing
Falling in and out of a needed sleep
I'm exactly where I want to be
We'll make new memories tomorrow
For next year's yuletide reverie
Kathleen McCoy EldridgeŠ
December 21, 2010
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