The Christmas Place

Christmas . . . Christmas . . .
it's not the same
as it was many long years ago.

Oh how I yearn for
those more gentle days,
and the people we all used to know.

What joy! Buying a tree,
hanging the tinsel, so carefully.
List'ning for reindeer,
too wound up for sleep,
till morning when downstairs we'd creep.

Our whole family. . .
happy together,
sharing the glow,
hoping for snow. . .
Presents, and good food,
and music, and laughter. . .
how could I think
it would last ever after?

Now the years have taken their toll,
loved ones are gone
and we've all come to know
that things don't last,
but memories grow. . .
my heart still remembers
that place long ago.

There may be joy,
and there may be laughter,
but it's not the same . . .
it's not "ever after."

Christmas. . . Christmas . . .
it's not the same
as it was many long years ago.
I cherish the dream,
and I wish I could go
to that far away homeplace
in the new-fallen snow . . .
that wonderful "Christmas Place"
we used to know.

Barbara's sister, Mollie, when she was about 8 years old.
Photo by Barbara Brabec
Copyright 2000 by Barbara Brabec.