Who Will Carve This Christmas

Missing loved ones

The messages shorter, less sincere than in previous years,
with the black ink used reflecting his mood
as his pen dragged laboriously across snow white Christmas cards,
each glib, festive greeting sealed with kisses
from lips chapped by sorrows cold winds.
His favourite time of year now dreaded,
bad enough one empty chair at the table.

They'd not discussed who'd bless, carve,
it was as if not talking might somehow make it easier,
instead the opposite,
trepidation and a wishing the day over filled his heart,
a heart that longed for his childhood Christmas' of fun, laughter, love.
And then came tears, tears that fell sorely, unashamedly, freely,
as the last card read before not writing,

"To a very special father at Christmas time "

Author's Note

Written with Jacob in mind...

Reviews

[Crowley]

What a difference between the feeling of the holidays in youth and the feelings as we age. Nostalgia adds a dash of melancholy sometimes, and those who are missed hijack our thoughts. No joy without grief. Great piece.

[Gee]

Thanks Crowley(11 months late)
Hope you are well.

[Patricia Wedel]

“Our Father who Art in Heaven … hallowed be thy name…” is a Refrain as our Fathers are also in Heaven singing 🎶 in the Choir… another Christmas to Reminise .. Merry Christmas 2023…
Blessings… Pat

[Gee]

On how rude. Such a late, late thank you Patricia

[Ken Simm.]

This is lovely. And I can empathise with it remembering my lovely daughter.
Very many blessed tidings this festive season my good friend.

[Gee]

My thoughts and best wishes are with you Ken, couldn't imagine my life without my daughter gracing it.
Whatever you are doing today Ken I hope smiles and laughter are a big part of it.
Take care my friend.
Merry Christmas

[emmajoygreen]

Bestest wishes to a man who knows how to love his ladies and - his heart to his readers. My/our birth family always had an empty chair and will carry on that tradition forever.. tis how it should be. Must if only to jog memories that smile outside but might cry deep inside. At this time of year (and all through any year) the scene and emotions you have so empathically included takes place in secrecy.. how tragic it is that lots of peeps use their PCs to create relationship with complete strangers? Come to think of it, the vast majority sit alone at some time.. wondering a multitude of what, why, how, where when and who?????? There are probably more tears let loose on Christmas day than smiles or laughter... could be a day with as many secrets as wondering why me/him/her?. Heartbreaking question, sir Gee

Must away. God bless you all. ..

[Gee]

Hope you have a wonderfully happy day EmmaJ.
Yes, there are many lonely folk out there that seek companionship through the rattling of a key board.
If you are appreciated nowhere else, this cannot be the case,

[emmajoygreen]

Put more water with it next time.. off and away.. Bye

[Paul Michelle]

I love the use of the black ink to reflect 'his' mood &, in contrast, the "snow white" christmas card. These two description are a very elegant way of symbolizing how a time that is supposed to be joyous can clash with a person who is not. In fact if I had written this (and I kinda wish I had) I might have ended it at the first three lines. They are very, very strong. had me hooked.

[Gee]

Thank you Paul

[Misterr Remeat]

Wow! Thank you for this. makes me want to hug everyone in my family. And all of you of course

[Gee]

Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for both reading and commenting.
Hope you are enjoying the festive break.

[Lorry]

There is always an emptiness of the complete picture at the thought of that empty chair. The stilness where loud memories used to be changes these days forever. But we carry on, trying to feel blessed while etched in sadness.
Beautiful write Sir

[Gee]

Thank you Lorry, hope all is well up North.
Cheers

[Lorry]

Not bad thanks. Its a balmy nine degrees and not raining. Result :)

[Chris Shaw]

Christmas can be a very lonely time indeed for the elderly and bereaved, or for that matter anyone living on their own. I would imagine most of them are really happy to get Christmas day over. This is a poignant piece of writing Gee. Makes me appreciate what I have.

Chris

[Gee]

I know what you mean. Thank you Christine

[KWP]

oh wow - that's lovely!

It's true isn't it - we choose silence over discussion about the hard topics. We should teach ourselves, each other and especially our kids to talk openly and freely to know that getting in touch with emotions will help to move through them.

This is an especially great write - cheers Gee X

[Gee]

Yep, no point bottling things up or shying away from life, it'll still be there.
Thanks for reviewing

[Wild Rose]

No card from Mildred this year she said - No not yet - but it Christmas Eve - Hers are always early - Yes I know; I have last years card here; her writing was so spidery and uneven, not her usual style all clear and even - It is twenty five years since that holiday in Spain, she was in her late seventies then; she would be in her nineties now; mum was eighty two - Yes they have both had a good innings - I posted her card two weeks since and put our address in, we may hear something

[Gee]

Thing is with the dead they never tell you they are. Unbelievably inconsiderate. Thank you.