Thursday

Yesterday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception as you all know..this year, the Mass was especially beautiful IMHO and I found myself misting up as we sang Immaculate Mary...later I misted up even more when I heard the most beautiful non-recorded rendering of Ave Maria that I have ever heard (I know this guy could sing, but oh man...) I thought I was alone, until I heard quite a few sniffles from the pews on the other side.

Today I got this in my email and, having a cousin and an DxH in the mid-East, I thought I would share this..

Clear Day
The Christmas Poem

Twas the Night Before Christmas
He lived all alone,
In a One Bedroom House
Made of Plaster and Stone

I had come down the Chimney
With Presents to Give,
And to see just who In this Home did live.

I looked All About,
A strange sight did I see,
No Tinsel. No Presents.
Not even a Tree.

No stocking by Mantle,
Just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung a picture
Of far distant lands.

With Medals and Badges,
Awards of all Kinds
A sober thought
Came through my mind.

For This House was different
It was dark and dreary
I found the Home of a Soldier
Once I could see Clearly.

The Soldier Lay Sleeping
Silent, Alone
Curled up on the floor
Of this One Bedroom Home.

The face was so Gentle
The room in such Disorder
Not how I pictured
A United States Soldier.

Was This The Hero
Of Whom I Just Read?
Curled up on A Poncho
The floor for a bed?

I realized the Families
That I saw This Night,
Owed Their Lives to These Soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

Soon Round the World,
The Children Would Play,
And Grown-ups would Celebrate
A Bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed Freedom
Each month of the Year.
Because of the Soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In a land far from Home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to My eye,
I dropped to my knees,
and I started to Cry.

The Soldier awakened
And I heard A rough voice,
Santa don't cry,
This Life is my Choice.

I fight for Freedom,
I don't Ask for More,
My life is My God,
My Country, My Corps.

The Soldier rolled over,
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't Control it,
I continued to weep.

I Kept watch for hours,
So silent and still.
And we both shivered
From The cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
On that cold, dark night,
This Guardian of Honor
So willing to fight.

Then the Soldier rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, All is Secure."

One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas My Friend,
And To All A Good Night."

Please keep all of our soldiers and contractors in your prayers.