A Yuletide Walk to Remember

Hazy yellow moonlight glows, veiled by gray winter clouds against the night sky,

Thick wet snowflakes slowly falling on my uplifted face…

(perfect snow texture to create an awesome snowman tomorrow)

Serene, calm and silent hour, helping me slow the pace.

I walk alone on our suburban street, kicking snowballs, pondering the days ahead,

Cherishing this moment, soaking it all in, imprinting memories to recall forever.

Of family arrivals, abundance of food, and tons of brightly wrapped presents,

Amid hugs and greetings, gossip and laughter, the joy of family being together.

Christmas lights on the neighbors’ houses are muted and covered in frost,

And icicles hang from roofs like silvery swords, always my weapon of choice.

The soft sounds of Christmas carols heard from the churches nearby,

Lyrics long memorized; singing along in my loudest soprano voice.

Rounding back to the house where my father was raised, so happy to see him again,

Beyond grateful for love unconditional, wrapped up in a protected cocoon.

Holidays come and holidays go, a rush of time, that quickly can fade,

But not this year, the child inside me is refusing to let it go too soon.

In this black and grey world, in the midst of deep winter,

I pray, and I hope, and I yearn.

That Christmas means more than the tinsel and presents,

That love and peace are the lessons I’ll learn.

This year, this moment, right now.