A Soldier's Silent Night

Hello, friends! Happy Friday! Can you believe we are only seven days away from Christmas? I mean, seriously, how exciting? I'm super thrilled minus a cold that snuck up on me yesterday. I was fine wednesday but then Thursday came and kapow, kick in the face. I made it through the work day, but the solo evening [Le Husband was on the road last night] of hot cocoa, sushi, blog drafting and show catching up turned into a night of an epsom salt bath, get you better soup, half a cheesy Christmas movie and bed by 8pm. hashtagsickpeoplepartyofone. Hopefully I can kick this before all the fun of next week, cross your fingers for me, kay?

Before I go, I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas poems. This time of year we all get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the season and can often forget about those on the front lines. About the men and women that don't get that opportunity to call in to work from home, or call in sick when they've had a rough weekend. Or  the men and women, servicing our country in foreign lands, all in the name of freedom. To many, they are an afterthought and forgotten, but to others they are family dearly missed. In honor of the those overseas, I'm posting the Solider's Christmas Prayer, today. The poem mights say ARMY, but I believe it includes Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard, too. Hoo-ah & God Bless!

A Soldier's Christmas Prayer

James M. Schmidt, 1986, alt.

recording found *here*

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster & 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 I did see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

 With medals & badges, awards of all kind

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, so dark & dreary,

I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

I heard stories about them, I had to see more

So I walked down the hall & pushed open the door.

And there he lay sleeping silent alone,

Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.

His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,

I soon understood this was more than a man.

For I realized the families that I saw that night

Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play,

And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of soldiers like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees & started to cry.

The soldier awakened & 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.”

With that he rolled over & drifted off into sleep,

I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent & still,

I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.

So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,

And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.

And I put on his T-shirt of gray & black,

With an eagle & an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,

This guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,

whispered with a voice so clean & pure,

“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, & I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas my friend, & to all a good night!

Hope y'all have a great day and wonderful weekend < 3