Monday, December 22, 2008

Twas the Night Before Christmas.......

Recently we received this picture and poem from Disabled Veterans. I don't know if any of you have read this version before but I thought it was definitely blog-worthy. I hope you enjoy! But then again you might need a hankie.'Twas 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,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a 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,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

-Anonymous




I'm so thankful to our men and women who serve our country. Thanks to them we are free to celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season. I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Merry Christmas! And just in case I saddened you here's a little funny to make you smile!
Merry Christmas!!!

17 comments:

Jacquie said...

Oh, Susie, that did make me cry. I am SOOOO thankful for all of our military men and women. I have a nephew who is in Iraq right now. They are away from their families for US and we so easily forget them. Thanks for serving as a reminder.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Susie - we need to be ever mindful & prayerful for those so valiantly serving our country. Thanks for the bit of humor too!

Becky said...

Oh sis, I read the first line and opted not to finish it! Just can't, not today! However, I did enjoy the humor. Too funny! One more sleep till I get to see you!!! YIPPIEE!!!!

Casey said...

Aunt Susie,
I love it!! Can't wait to see you on Christmas Day!!! Yippee
Casey

marmee said...

thanks for reminding us of those who have layed their lives down so we can freely celebrate.
merry christmas to you.

Connie said...

A very touching post, Susie. Thank you for reminding us to be grateful for our men and women in the service over the holiday season. Thanks for the giggle at the end too! HA! :D

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Susie for both the sadness and the joy... We do need to remember our wonderful soldiers --especially this time of year. When I hear Josh Groban's version of "I'll be Home for Christmas" --where he interviews people in the military away from home---it makes me cry. All of them do need our prayers AND our thanks.

Thanks for this wonderful post.
Hugs,
Betsy

Jen said...

Great post Suie. That version needs a hankie for sure. We sent gifts off to the soldiers, but it sure doesn't take the place of them being home with their families.
Merry Christmas to you too~ sounds like you have some family looking forward to seeing you. :)
And of course I lol at the deer on the wall.

Susie said...

Jacquie-Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. I just thought this was such a moving poem.

Mildred-I'm glad you enjoyed the poem and the little funny!

Bec-Yippee! Not much longer now!

Casey-I'm looking forward to seeing you. Glad you enjoyed the poem.

Marmee-Yes, I try to be ever mindful of all the lost lives and their families.

Daisy-I'm glad you enjoyed. The funny is a calender on my hubbies desk. I decided I had better put something on their so everyone wouldn't be too sad.

Betsy-We love to listen to Josh Groban. We haven't heard that version of that song. Maybe it's best if I don't hear it.

Jen-Glad you enjoyed the post. How sweet that you mailed out packages. Yes, I can't wait to see my family.

Unknown said...

That was beautiful, and tear did I. We have a lot of veterans, alive and dead and active service in both sides of our blended family. We owe a lot to these brave men and women. Thank you for putting it in perspective.

Susie said...

Thanks Darla, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to have made you tear up.

A. Joy said...

Ahhhh yes, thanks for reminding us that even our heros need help sometimes. I just finished watching a clip on our local news about a war veteran who was skipping meals so he could pay to heat his house. After airing his situation on tv - hundreds of people came forth to help him out.
My brother the veteran has always had a 'far side' sense of humor and those comics always remind us of him!

beckie said...

Susie, thanks for sharing. i hope it serves to remind us all to say a prayer of thanks to our men and women in the military.

Happy Holidays!

Dorothy said...

Susie,
Beautiful reminder that we have so much to be indebted to our military for. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Beautiful poem Susie, and so touching. I'll have to come back just to read it again.

Wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

Terri said...

Merry Christmas, Susie! Guess what came in the mail today? My first seed catalog for next year! :) It made me think of you, because soon we'll all be Digging in the Dirt!

Terri

Meadowview Thymes said...

Wonderful post Susie! I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas!