Christmas Cards, 2019

There�s more, much more to Christmas
Than candlelight and cheer;
It�s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the year;
It�s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It�s hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
For goodwill to men!

I have a list of folks I know,
all written in a book
And every year when Christmas comes,
I go and take a look,

And that is when I realize
that these names are a part
Not of the book they are written in,
but really from my heart.

For each name stands for someone
who has cossed my path sometime,
And in the meeting they've become
the rhythm in each rhyme.

And while it sounds fantastic
for me to make this claim,
I really feel that I'm composed
of each remembered name.

And while you may not be aware
of any special link
Just meeting you has changed my life
a lot more than you think.

For once I've met somebody,
the years cannot
The memory of a pleasant word
or of a friendly face.

So never think my Christmas cards
are just a mere routine
Of names upon a Christmas
forgotten in between.

For when I send a Christmas card
that is addressed to you,
It is because you're on the list
that I'm indebted to.

For I am but a total
of the many folks I've met,
And you happen to be one of those
I prefer not to forget.

And whether I have known you
for many years or few,
In some ways you have a part
in shaping things I do.

And every year when Christmas comes,
I realize anew,
The best gifts life can offer
is meeting folks like you.

And may the spirit of Christmas
that forever endures.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

© Tina's Prayer Gate
December 25, 2019