A Soldiers Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas.
He lived all alone,In a one bedroom house made of Plaster and Stone.
I had come down the Chimney,With presents to give. And to see just who In this home did live.
I had come down the Chimney,With presents to give. And to see just who In this home did live.
I looked all about A strange sight I did see. No tinsel, No presents,Not even a tree.No stocking by the mantle,Just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures Of far distant lands.With medals and badges, Awards of all kinds,A sober thought Came through my mind.
For this house was different, It was dark and dreary,I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.
Once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, Silent, alone, Curled up on the floor In this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,The room in such disorder, Not how I pictured
Was this the hero Of whom I'd just read?Curled up on a Poncho,The floor for a bed?
I realized the families That I saw this night,Owed their lives to these soldiers Who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,The children would play, And grownup's would celebrate A bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,Because of the soldiers,Like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder How many lay alone,On a cold Christmas Eve In a land far from home.
The very thought Brought a tear to my eye,I dropped to my knees And started to Cry.
The soldier awakened And I heard a rough voice,"Santa don't cry,This life is my choice."The solider rolled over And drifted to sleep,I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,So silent and still And we both shivered From the cold nights chill.
I didn't want to leave On that cold, dark, night,This guardian of Honor So willing to fight.
The solider rolled over,With a voice soft and pure,Whispered, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day, All is secure."One look at my watch, And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, And to all a good night."
I will see all of you after Christmas....Many Blessings from my mountain top yours...
56 comments:
yes indeed! Merry Christmas to you all!
What a heartfelt post, Gloria. I loved it. And how baby Jeremiah has grown!! What a doll he is. I love his wee outfit!!
Thank you for remembering and reminding us of our Service men and women. I hope they have a blessed Christmas. And I wish you a very Merry Christmas too, sweet lady.
From my frozen city neighborhood to yours (!)...
xoxo
Janie
Gloria,
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas! I hold a special spot for our military that puts their life on the line to protect our freedoms and liberties.
Hugs, Cathy
Gloria, how sweet and tender is that poem! Many, many thanks to our soldiers - they are the best! Merry Christmas! Linda
Oh, Gloria, what a beautiful post. First your precious great grandson, a looker, I must say, and then that sentimental poem! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Beautiful picture.
Beautiful poem.
Beautiful sentiments.
Really a very touching post.
I too feel a great respect and love for our country and our service men and women who by their great sacrifices safeguard her.
Thank you!
Merry Christmas!
All the best to you,
Eileen
love the pic!
and what a sweet poem, I'll have to send it to my brother who is in the army.
What a beautiful young santa! It must be very difficult to be overseas during the holidays. we are sending a care package to a young soldier this year :)
~Ah! Thank you Gloria. What a beautiful and heartfelt post.
Loved it!
Precious Jeremiah makes me smile! He's a sweetie in his suit. He!
Hi Gloria,
How darling your little great Grandson is. Jeremiah looks so cute dressed as Santa.
Wishing you and your family heartfelt Greetings, happy holidays and bountiful blessings.
Hugs
Carolyn
Beautiful post Gloria....Have the Merriest and most Blessed Christmas my friend...to you and your family, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
Yes, indeed....this SANTA BABY is a precious one...
MERRY CHRISTMAS dear Gloria...you are such a treasure and I have loved visiting with you this past year...and am looking forward to more of the same...
hugs, bj
Hi Gloria,
I love , love , your kitchen !!!
Merry Christmas !
Thank you Gloria for your beautiful post and my grandson Cory gives you thanks too.He is in Special Forces and I worry myself sick about him. He is one of the thousands protecting our freedom. He'll be home for a quick Christmas with us, but Thank God he will be here. Your great grandson is as cute as a button.I would be honored to add him to my Santa collection. :)
You have a wonderful Christmas My Friend,
Chris
Hi, Gloria,
God Bless each and every one of our troops. I can't imagine being that far away from home at Christmas.
Have a wonderful one!
D
Merry Christmas to you too! We recently toured the WWII Museum in New Orleans. You would love it. Your heart just swells with pride and love for our servicemen...many whom gave "all" for our freedom.
Hi Sis...
Ohh my...if your little Jeremiah isn't the most precious little Santa Baby ever!!! Girl, I just giggled as soon as I seen your photo!!! He is the cuuutessst little guy!!! Don't you just love his little Santa outfit!!! Such a joy to see your great-grandson, Darlin'!!! Thank you for sharing him with us!!!
Sis, I have read "The Soldier's Prayer" before...I can't hardly read it without breaking down in tears!!! Your Grandson, his family, and all the brave men and women in our military are definitely in my prayers, Sis!!! We are certainly a blessed nation to have so many willing to sacrafice their all for us!!!
Well Sis...are you still up to your armpits in cookies and Christmas candy? Hehe! That's what I'm attempting to do today...my famous rolled sugar cookies are baking right now! I'm not baking as much this year...not with just the four of us. Well Darlin'...just coming by to check on ya...wanted to make sure that you hadn't turned into a cookie yourself! Hehe!
Love ya, Sweetie!!!
Chari
PS...I'll be emailing you before Christmas, Sis!!!
Oh that baby santa is soooo sweet, Gloria!
I've read this story recently. One of my old classmates sent it to our e-mail group. He's retired Army.
Gratitude, always, for our troops. Thank you for publishing this!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas Gloria! Thanks for stopping in and for a such a beautiful post to remind us all of our servicemen and women.
Gloria, I am so very happy that I met you in this lovely world of blogging. You are a sweetheart and a friend to so many. I wish you the happiest of times for this holiday season. hugs, Sue
Such a beautiful post Gloria. I've read this before, and it is truly inspiring. We do give thanks in our home every day for these brave men and women. And your baby Jeremiah is just gorgeous! He looks adorable in his little Santa suit. I know that they are treating him and mamma well at Ft. Hood, they are good people there. A joyous Christmas to you and your beautiful family! Hugs, Kathy
Gloria, what a beautiful post. Baby Jeremiah is absolutely adorable.!! Oh my goodness..love his outfit. Thank you for reminding us of our servicemen, and their families. From our home to yours darling... a Very Merry Christmas... hugs and love ~lynne~
Gloria, just found your blog thru Applestone Cottage.
Your unabashed love and respect for our servicemen and women is to applauded, revered and practiced by all of us.
I am in love with your kitchen, that's as far back as I've gone on your blog so far.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Jeremiah is so adorable in his Santa suit! {Although, I'm sure he's adorable no matter what he wears}! Merry Christmas, Gloria!
Merry Christmas, sister! Morgan is so beautiful and Jeremiah... ah, I just wanna bite his hiney!
Justine :o )
Oh my goodness, Gloria! Isn't little Jeremiah just the cutest litle guy in his Santa suit! And thanks for the poem...a reminder to us all that we owe our freedom to some very brave men and women! My little grandson is getting BIG! Two months form tomorrow is his due date and all is going very well! I am wishing the very merriest of Christmases to you and to your precious family, my dear friend!! Love ya!...hugs...Debbie
Merry Christmas Gloria! How cute is your great grandson!!! Thank you for sharing! We should all say a prayer for our service men and women! God Bless! Lauralu :)
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks so much for being such a good blogger friend to me these past months.
The baby is darling!
Sue
May your Christmas be blessed! Sally
Your Santa Baby is adorable! You are so special to remind us how much we owe our troops! Merry Christmas Gloria!
What a cute little Santa Baby you have there.
Your poem is the perfect reminder to keep our military men and women in our thoughts and prayers.
I just love your header picture. So many cute things to look at.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Gloria, he is an absolute doll! Loved seeing this picture. And I emailed you with my address as per your request. Did you get it? Just checking in from a moment I'm spending out from under decorations and wrapping presents and such to wish you a "Merry Christmas!"
Love you much...
XO,
Sheila
Loved the post! The little Santa baby is too adorable! Isn't the world blessed by these little ones and the way they remind us of all that is good? Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Gloria, what a wonderful post. The poem brought tears to my eyes, but then I cry when they play America the beautiful or the Star Spangled Banner. I give thanks to our servicemen and women and try and remember to pray for them every night before I fall asleep. It has been a joy getting to know you. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas. Madeline
What a beautiful post today...What a percious great grandson....Yes it has been a wonderful to meet you on blogland my sweet friend....Merry Christmas to you and your family...Hugs Pat H
I feel the same way you do, Gloria and I am thankful for our soldiers and will pray for them. Your great grandson is a cutie. Merry Christmas to you and your family...Christine
What a wonderful tribute Gloria and how big that baby has gotten!!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas dear friend!
VERY cute little one!
Merry Christmas.... ENJOY!
Just look at that precious baby!Have a Merry Christmas, Gloria.
Hi Gloria!
Just stopping by to wish you and your family a wonderful, happy, joyful Christmas!
Gloria, did you get my email??? Just wanted to drop back by and check.
Sending you love this day and always, especially on Christmas.
I wish you, your DH, and the family a very Merry Christmas!
Love you...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Gloria, this is the perfect post. I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed Christmas. Hugs, Marty
Your little Santa is a cutie!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Manuela
Oh my, he is totally adorable! His mom is quite attractive too. Thank you for sharing the poem...it is one of my favorites, very heartfelt.
Our military personnel in A'stan are having a particularly difficult time right now so please hold them in prayer. I know, all the military guys/gals need prayer but it's really rough in that area.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas my friend!
xoxo
What an adorable baby! I enjoyed reading " A Soldiers Christmas" God bless each brave man and woman!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2010!
Wonderful post Gloria, your little guy is such a cutie!
Christmas blessings to you and your family,
Debra
Merry Christmas dear Gloria! My prayers are always with the brave men & women that keep us safe.
Enjoy our freedom to celebrate Christ's birth!
Love & hugs, Sherry
Christmas Greetings, Sis...
Mornin' Sis...just thought I'd drop by before my day gets crazy busy! The kids will be here late afternoon and I still have a couple of baking projects to do today! Other than that...guess I'm ready...or at least...as ready as I'll ever be! Hehe! Was just thinking about you...and wanted to stop by! You have a wonderful time at Candice's tonight...take lots and lots of pics, Sis!!! Well Darlin'...I will talk with you later!
Love you, Sis!!!
Chari
Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful time!
Hugs~ J
Hi Gloria, Your post gave me chills...I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! Kristen
It's Christmas eve and I'm thinking of you while taking a break from making my sweet potatoes. :) Gloria..you are such a joy to me...and to everyone who knows you. I wish you the most beautiful of Christmas's all the blessings God has to offer in the world!
You are loved SO much!
Merry Christmas my sweet friend and to your beautiful family!!
Mona
Hello sweet friend,
I hope your Christmas was wonderful..and didn't leave you half as tired as mine did. Fun..but really tiring.
I was absolutely certain that I posted on this particular post and I don't see it. I read the Soldiers Night Before Christmas..
and I don't see it.
I loved it.
So....when are you coming to Riverside? :)
Hugs,
Mona
Gloria coming by to wish you a belated Merry Christmas!! Meant to get over to my blog friends earlier- it just go so busy!!
Know you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus and treasuring family-
blessings
mary
Gloria -- I hope you had a wonderful Christmas -- I'm just catching up with some of my visitors from this week. Wishing you many blessings for 2010! Cheers!
Oh what a cute Santa baby you have -- Hope your Christmas was special blessed!
Aww, your Santa Baby is adorable!! The cutest little Santa ever. ;) By the way, I really LOVE your "love" list on your blog sidebar. <3
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