Christmas memories

Christmas memories   Way back when I was young you know I’d sit and watch the gently falling snow With dreams of presents wrapped and under the tree All sorts of sizes and colors, with a bunch tagged just for me I was always certain that Santa Claus would make it so   Catalogs were all we had, cause there was no internet Laptops, I-pods and cell phones hadn’t even been invented yet A TV commercial, store display, a little bit of imagination Were enough to set us dreaming and creating our own fascination Which, kids being kids, never seemed to match the things we’d get   But no matter the gift you opened, be it books or cologne Toys you craved, some homemade clothes I was proud to own Soon the dust had settled, and all the pretty paper was torn Toys all played with, books read, and the new clothes worn As I look back those were the best times that I have known   Everyone crowding together for that holiday pic in the perfect light And pictures didn’t get posted online, we didn’t even see them that night Needed flashbulbs and film, take it to the store and wait a day Take a ton of pictures and grumble how much you had to pay Folks set up a card game, while the kids made plans and scooted out of sight   Before you knew, parents were calling kids, the night would draw to a close Hugs and kisses and see you soon, screaming bye and waving till the last one goes Those great big family gatherings, you know they happened on all the holidays Many faces have passed, places sold, cousins moved, but the memory stays If absence makes the heart grow founder, mines a mountain and it still grows   Merry Christmas to all who left here for a better place, please save me a seat Your life has left a mark on me and without your memory I’d be incomplete And to all my friends and family, those both near and far I raise a toast, Happy New Year! Love and warmth no matter where you are May the wind be at your back, the sun light your way until we next meet Merry Christmas, Happy New Year I love you, one and all   Tim Windisch 11/12/2017