“So this is Christmas,
And what have we done;
Another year over now,
And a new one just begun.”
John Lennon,
So This is Christmas
I was feeling kind of nostalgic
And I also was out of bird seed
So I soon jumped in my old truck
And headed for The Feed & Seed
I had been shopping here for a long time
I love the few remaining quaint old places
But as I now entered for the umpteenth time
I immediately saw the sadness on their faces
“Glad ya made it in before we closed the doors,
Me and the Mrs. are shuttin down, New Year’s.”
The proprietor soon offered me a shot of whiskey
And I now sat and drank with him, through his tears
“Ain’t much use for us around here anymore,
Most of the old family farms are all now done;
Didn’t hardly get any Christmas shoppers neither,
So we’ve decided to fold up, and listen to our son.
“By Spring, they’re gonna tear her down,
And they’ll be buildin some more condos;
Right now, I’m feelin like an old dinosaur,
I guess it finally is that time for me to go.”
I bought several bags of bird seed from him
And several big containers of dog and cat food
And as he helped me load them into my old truck
There was nothing I could do to improve his mood
“How about one more drink,
Before I close up this old place?”
As the old man poured us another
A few more tears crept down his face
So this was his very last Christmas,
His marvelous old store was now done;
Yet another casualty of an abysmal year,
For him, New Year’s would be a cruel one.
Small businesses are now closing everywhere,
In our nation facing so many problems today;
America was truly built by these entrepreneurs,
And their exodus saddens me in so many ways.
©2008, Mr. Ed
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YOur story touched me and your have such an easy flow in how you tell your feelings from your heart!
I feel for that family! I really do!
I can't imagine him waking up the next morn, unless they made other plans to enjoy their time spent away from that God Ole Place!
STill - Happy New Year! my friend...
WRITE ON! YOU do it so well!!!
Warmest Blessings and Love ( I wish I didn't stay away you/your quill for so long,I don't plan to anymore), Warrior Purple Lady SHEExooo
STay Positive! Through the peace of serenity is so still...
perhaps he is meant to spend his time doing something else...everything has purpose, including what is initially perceived as victimhood...its how we change and open the next door
Happy New Year
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Very powerful and emotive as you do these so exceptionally well!!
The grace of God be with you!
Lance
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
fee
Thanks for the reminder... let us hope someone listens and does something.
Cheers and peace,
Dan
I am about to move on myself....my farm is up for sale also...just cannot go on like this anymore... for a different reason though!!
Love Tinky
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <
Love and hope,
Tiger Lily
Christine
Georg