A Different Kind of Christmas Poem

[parrotsgirl]

Someone sent me this email.....and I thought i'd share it w/all of you...
Let us remember all of those that are protecting us and can't be home with thier families this year. Also to Thank all of those who have served before them and sacrificed


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."
>
>
>
> >
> > PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of
> sending this to as many
> >people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon
> and some credit is due to
> >our U.S.service men and women for our being able to
> celebrate these
> >festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a
> tiny bit of what we owe.
> >Make people stop and think

[phjrsaunt]

Thanks phor posting that, PG.
Salute, and thank you to all who keep us safe.

[ragtopW]

Why is the monitor blurry??????

[Carolinadreamin']

Thanks for posting that. It's an amazing poem and everyone should read it....no matter how you feel about the war....

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Why is the monitor blurry??????

Mine, too.....

[Y-NO-9-O]

It's that time of year again. As we complain about parking and traffic around the malls, let's not forget what's really important and what true sacrifice is. Godspeed to all the US armed forces around the world.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

It's that time of year again. As we complain about parking and traffic around the malls, let's not forget what's really important and what true sacrifice is. Godspeed to all the US armed forces around the world.

Amen.