Lynn C. Price

CHRISTMASES PAST

The turkey is roasting and the pies have been baked,
Gifts have been chosen and wrapped,
I gaze at our tree with its twinkling bright lights
And remember the Christmases past.

Somewhere in time our innocence was lost,
When young men went off to war.
Defenders of freedom, warriors give all,
Oft wondering what they died for.

A Mama reflects on the day he was born,
As she cradles that folded old flag,
Gone are the days of gentle blue eyes,
Playing football, soccer and tag.

She’ll read every letter time after time,
Though her tears have blotted and stained,
Words from her Soldier, written back then,
Before she knew heartache and pain.

A Daddy recalls the doctor’s first words,
‘Sir, you have a beautiful baby girl.’
He kisses his wife while holding her close,
Knowing all’s well in their world.

With pigtails and braces, she’s the light of his life;
She grows faster with each passing year.
Before he can blink, she’s taking an oath;
He looks on with a proud Daddy’s tears.

Like sand in an hourglass, time won’t stand still,
A Daddy must hear TAPS play.
He knows she gave all for the country she holds dear,
But his heart ceased to feel on this day.

For all of our Fallen, Heroes and Veterans,
Each proudly answering, ‘yes’ when asked,
May we always remember the high cost of peace,
As we cherish our Christmases past.

Author’s Note: May we never forget the men and women who stand on that wall! Dedicated to all of our Military Heroes, both past and present