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.'
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This Christmas remember our soldiers as they are away from their families and the comforts of home. Our soldiers continue to protect the freedom that we enjoy daily. I personally want to
say thank you for all the sacrifices that each soldier has endured and Merry Christmas.
P.S. I'm not sure who wrote this poem.
My two brothers, Jon & Nathan and niece Savannah.
Dad and mom along with my brother Nathan looking at the book that I'd made for my parents at Christmas.
This is a mistletoe tree, the only way to get the mistletoe down is to shoot it down.
My brother Jonathan and his wife, Aytha.
Savannah is showing off her new princess dress, she absolutely loved it.
My brother Nathan is trying to open Spencer's gift (my nephew) while Telesa, Jon and Aytha all look on.
My brothers showing off their enthusiasm for guns.
Caleb and Spencer with dad looking on. This is a favorite picture of mine.
My brother, Jon and niece Savannah. Savannah had a great time playing with her uncle Jon on this visit.
The princess is again twirling her septre.
The guys playing a game of pool on Christmas Day, I think they had a running game all day long.
Our niece, Marva and boyfriend Jonathan sharing a moment of laughter on Christmas Eve.
Niece Andrea and her husband David.
The tree was filled with presents, just waiting to be opened.
Sisters- Hannah and Keianna, they were anxiously awaiting the opening of presents.
We had played a game to see who could wrap their present the quickest. The game was judged according to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place but Jonathan was not be left out so he stuck his 4th place in the picture.
Dessert table on Christmas Eve.
This is a picture of Wayne's sisters, Tammara and Rosanna along with niece Marva.
Part of the spread on Christmas Eve.
Spencer decided he wanted to play with the septre.
Caleb was so excited to get his new gun for Christmas.
Caleb is looking on while Wayne is reading his homemade card. Caleb had cut out pictures from a calendar and asked to use my scrapbook things to put together this card, it turned out really nice.
Caleb and Spencer watching cartoons.
Spencer is trying out his sister's new cupcake boots. The boots are adorable. 
