I remember when I was small,
And the tree was so very, very tall,
Its limbs covered with brightly lit joy,
Each colorful package a potential toy.
Most of all I remember the talk and laughter,
The silly jokes and funny stories,
And even more laughing that came after.
Many of those voices are silent now,
They do not grace our holiday reveries,
Those faces now lost in time somehow,
Only faded into vague memories.
The day now met by less by far,
Yet happy that those still can share,
That tree and its shining star,
And carols sung so fair.
So while I shed a tear for loss,
I'll also smile for memories gay,
And no time that's passed across,
Can e'er take those away.

A Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all,

                                  Jim