Christmas memories

Way back when I was young you know

I’d sit and watch the gently falling snow

With dreams of presents wrapped and under the tree

All sorts of sizes and colors, with a bunch tagged just for

I was always certain that Santa Claus would make it so

Catalogs were all we had, cause there was no internet

Laptops, I-pods and cell phones hadn’t even been invented

A TV commercial, store display, a little bit of imagination

Were enough to set us dreaming and creating our own

Which, kids being kids, never seemed to match the things

But no matter the gift you opened, be it books or cologne

Toys you craved, some homemade clothes I was proud to own

Soon the dust had settled, and all the pretty paper was torn

Toys all played with, books read, and the new clothes worn

As I look back those were the best times that I have known

Everyone crowding together for that holiday pic in the

And pictures didn’t get posted online, we didn’t even see

Needed flashbulbs and film, take it to the store and wait a

Take a ton of pictures and grumble how much you had to pay

Folks set up a card game, while the kids made plans and

Before you knew, parents were calling kids, the night would

Hugs and kisses and see you soon, screaming bye and waving

Those great big family gatherings, you know they happened on

Many faces have passed, places sold, cousins moved, but the

If absence makes the heart grow founder, mines a mountain

Merry Christmas to all who left here for a better place,

Your life has left a mark on me and without your memory I’d

And to all my friends and family, those both near and far

I raise a toast, Happy New Year! Love and warmth no matter

May the wind be at your back, the sun light your way until

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

I love you, one and all

Tim Windisch

11/12/2017