Christmas; The Day After Where Have They All Gone???

Christmas day 2011 and the tables were set and the food was aplenty.

While outside a cold dreary drizzle consumed the southern noon day sky.

Her house smelled golden sweet from all-night cooking and so much to eat.

Yet come noon, come now 12:15, only a smattering of family had arrived.

Oh how I remember the olden days of afore…I remember so many people and gifts galore.

Where have they all gone, where now could they all on the most special day be?

I knew the answer at once to this my question and for a soft moment I did grieve.

A good many have done up and grown; they even have families other than this of their own.

However as I looked at all the empty chairs on display with plates and silverware set there anyway.

I could see the ghost of those from Christmases’ past who in the silence of memories have quietly passed.

I could hear the echoes of laughter as it bounced resoundingly off the walls.

Though there were faces anew with my sweet Jan and John David too.

There were still for her the years of memories and the silence walking in the halls.

I wonder now the full day after how many more Christmases there will be.

I wonder for her, I wonder for me, and I think how quickly life does flee.

Therefore I declare from this little man called me that every day from here on out it will be Christmas day for all to see.

For I know in certainty that I cannot resurrect the past…I can only cherish the memories.

I can only walk into the future until I see the last Christmas when times die is cast.

Thus Jan and me shall do our best to see that Christmas at the mother of my late wife Leah continues to be…for after all every day is Christmas day, and whether it be twenty or three, we will always remain and be family.

J. Allen Wilson © 12/26/2011