The stockings are empty, hanging by a dying fire.
The wrappings removed, the joy felt, smiles abound.
Stomachs are full from a day of feasting on treats and food.
Now the quiet settles in and only the embers remain.
The warm glow of the celebration starts to fade.
A small chill settles in, blankets provide a little warmth,
As we slowly drift off to slumber, bidding farewell to our festive day.
Brown sparkling eyes looked across the coffee table in delight. Candies and cookies, all within arm’s reach, called her name. She snuck a peanut butter kiss, and bit into it. The large kiss broke apart, but she didn’t care. She quickly caught the bits and popped them in her mouth. She bobbled off toward the tree, flopped down, and finished her treat.
Her mother caught the whole thing, but instead of scolding her daughter, she just smiled. No harm and, besides, it was Christmas Eve. The little girl sang along with the carols playing on the stereo as she looked over the sparkling lights and the colorful ornaments on the tree. The evening was growing late and the little girl’s eyes grew heavy, but she resisted going to bed.
She curled up on the carpet, already dressed in her pajamas. She tucked an arm under her head as her singing turned to humming. Slowly, she grew silent and her eyes closed. She began to dream of twinkling lights, sprites dancing about, and happiness all around.
Her mom picked up a throw and covered her, letting her sleep there on the floor. She softly stroked her daughter’s curly brown hair and grinned to herself. Christmas peace had fallen over their little household.
One year ago, I started this site. I set out to put into words the thoughts raging in my head. I vented, I laughed, I created, and perhaps along the way, I entertained.
I shared poetry, something I enjoy writing even when it doesn’t make much sense. I dreamt up short stories, some based on real situations and others pure flights of fancy.
I have revealed glimpses into my heart, my mind, and my soul. But I hope I have only scratched the surface of my creativity.
Thank you to all my followers and readers. May the new year be kind to you and take you on many new adventures!
Unexpected gifts, far and few,
Arrive when we need them most.
They come in many forms,
Not always wrapped in ribbons and bows.
Sometimes it’s a kind deed from a stranger,
A smile aimed your way when you are down,
Other times it’s sweet words or a hug
From someone we hold dear.
Mine came in an emoticon, something so simple,
Which made me smile and restored hope.
Something I was running low on.
May you receive an unexpected gift
Which makes your day, restores you,
And just makes you feel all warm inside.
She snuck out of bed, kissing him gently as she slid out of his arms. It was Christmas morning, a very special Christmas morning.
She made her way down the hall. The door to the room where the girls slept was slightly ajar. She paused and smiled. She was thrilled they wanted to be here on this holiday. It made their dad so happy, which made her happy.
She walked into the living room and turned on the tree and the lights. It was a winter wonderland. The glow from the soft lights warmed up the room. The gifts they had wrapped together only a few days before were scattered under the tree.
She yawned and stretched, then turned to the kitchen. She set out a small spread for the four of them, and made sure the furry family members weren’t left out. Soon the smells of hot chocolate and sweet rolls filled the house.
The rest of the household woke up and followed their noses. Soft footsteps come down the hall. The rubbing of sleepy eyes was followed by grins and giggles as they filled their plates and settled around the tree.
The youngest was designated to pass out the presents, and soon the living room was littered with wrapping papers and tissues. The girls, well young women really, laughed and looked over their gifts.
Their father sat there, his eyes glistening, his smile so wide, his dimple so deep. He sipped on his drink and relaxed among the glee filling the room.
She looked across the room at him and smiled. She loved it when his face lit up with happiness, as it was this morning. A grin slipped across her lips along with a light blush on her cheeks. It was the Christmas she’d waited for all her life.
The gentle sounds of a piano plays in the distance. The sounds were barely audible from the lobby of the hotel. A tall tree, decorated in creamy white twinkling lights and large red poinsettias adorns the sitting area, surrounded by luxurious lounge chairs. Opposite the tree, a roaring fire casts a warm glow against the dark mahogany wood which lines the walls.
Sally sits in one of the chairs, her legs curled up under her. She faces the fire, while her hand caresses a cup of hot tea. She can see through a window the snow is picking up, ensuring snowy surroundings at least another day. No matter, she enjoys the peace and solitude the weather delays afford her.
The concierge works steadily behind the counter. A young couple, barely in their twenties bound up to the counter. “Do you have towels? We want to hit the hot tubs,” the man all of about twenty asks as the young woman beside him giggles.
Sally recognizes the look of innocence, of elated happiness, of complete adoration. She hopes the girl standing before her gets her happy ever after. Memories she thought she’d relegated to the furthest corners of her mind flow back for an instant. Sally shifts her gaze back to the fire, a short wave of sadness flows through her as a single tear falls into her cup. It doesn’t matter now, her mind refocuses. She puts the cup down and picks back up her computer from the table. Time to check on work.
Oh, the wonder of the internet and instant connectivity to anywhere. Even hundreds of miles away, work never stops. She was thankful for this welcomed distraction from her thoughts. The stats all look good. All robots are running, and no errors with any interfaces. Throughput for the past two days were steady, especially going into the holiday. If things held up, she could shift focus to planning for next year tomorrow.
Dan walked up and tapped Sally on her shoulder. She jumped. “Done with work? I’m starving.”
Sally looked up at Dan. He’s a good partner and companion. His crooked smile and exaggerated gestures signaled to her it was time to close up work. “Sure, let me log off.” Sally disconnected and closed her laptop, then slipped it into her bag. She slipped her stockinged feet back into her shoes and they made their way to the lodge’s restaurant for dinner.
Fuzzy socks on my feet and Lindor truffles just out of reach,
Curled up on the sofa with plaid jammies and a fluffy throw,
Sparkling lights on the tree sitting in the corner,
And all the lights out and an electric ‘fireplace’ making it cozy,
Along with a fan blowing on high, just to make it feel like winter.
Settling in for the evening, another Hallmark movie on play,
My guilty pleasure this time of year; they make me smile.
Here’s to finding what makes you calm and happy,
Even if it is only for a little while.
A sweltering heat wave comes our way,
It’s going to be in the 80s on Christmas Day.
We trade powdery snow for white sand
To build our snowman by hand.
Sand angels, flowers and smiles all around,
Gifts of sunscreen instead of mittens abound,
Shorts, mallets and bikinis, we all get cute,
Santa’s gonna need to don a swimsuit!
The last time I mounted a horse, I was just a child of eleven or twelve. My cousin and I went out to our uncle’s field where he kept the horses and they ran wild and free. The horses were broken of course, familiar with a saddle.
We had to first get one of the four-legged beauties over to my dad. He waited there by the truck for us to find our steed. Imagine two tweens running around a field in search for a friendly horse.
One finally relented and sauntered over. He knew what was up, but we’d be light loads. Dad cinched on the saddle and my cousin climbed up.
Off he went…well, okay, my dad actually led him. After a few minutes they circled back. He laughed and scrambled down.
Next it was my turn. I clambered up a top the saddle and off we went. The saddle seemed loose, but what did I know. I was just a kid. We walked a little further up the hillside.
Dad then turned the horse, and the saddle shifted, tumbling me onto the graveled ground. My spine just missed a jagged rock. He fixed the saddle and I climbed back up, but my fear was set. The bruise lasted for a few weeks.
I still love these stately animals; maybe one day I will ride again. But for now, I settle for feeding them apples and giving them a nice little pat on the head should I have the chance.
Popsicle toes and a cold nose,
Strike an angel’s pose,
Swing your limbs to and fro.
Watch the dusting fly, all that snow.
Giggle and laugh with delight,
Under a star and moon lit night.
Dawn Renee Writes 