Years ago one Christmas Morn,
as we sat beside our Christmas Tree,
I opened up this package,
addressed especially to me.
It was large in size,
and beautifully wrapped,
and I could hardly wait to see,
what it was inside that package,
that my first love gave to me.
Before opening my package, I gave it a shake
and I heard this melodious sound,
and upon opening the package,
to my surprise, this is what I found.
Silver Bells laced in red,
to top our Christmas Tree.
With a music box encased inside,
playing the tune "Silver Bells", just for me.
I was so thankful for my present,
that I began to cry,
and when I kissed him in thanksgiving,
the tears started flowing from my eyes.
Many years would come and pass.
We married and had a family our our own.
A little boy and girl to share,
and complete our happy home.
Each year as Christmas came around,
to the attic we would go,
first taking down our bells of silver,
to place atop our tree below.
The four of us together, would place
the Silver Bells atop our tree,
as we listened to the tune, "Silver Bells",
as it played so joyfully.
Then there was the eggnog and fruit cake,
along with Granny's date loaf, to share.
The many sounds and smells of Christmas,
seemed to come from everywhere.
Many a Christmas would come and pass,
but one would prove so sad,
for it was on that Christmas, I lost my husband,
and my children had lost their dad.
The following year,
as Christmas came around,
we took down the Silver Bells to top our tree,
but our mood, although once happy,
was now as somber as could be.
Even though the time was swiftly passing,
and my children, now grown, and on their own;
still there was this void inside me,
as I sat silently in my lonely home.
My tears flowed like the nearby stream;
they never seemed to cease.
Then the following year as Christmas approached,
I prayed to God for peace.
There came to me this serenity;
a feeling I cannot describe, for now,
instead of the void I'd once felt,
I again felt whole inside.
As Christmas approached,
I searched diligently for the Silver Bells to
top my Christmas Tree. When behold,
in the corner appeared my Silver Bells,
now so tarnished that I could barely see.
I picked them up so proudly,
and placed them atop my Christmas Tree,
and listened as they played the song,
Silver Bells; what a lovely sound to me.
My sadness has now turned to gladness,
as I once again decorate my tree;
now thanking God for my grown children,
who share my Christmas' with me.
The many sounds and smells of Christmas
once again fill the air,
while awaiting for the arrival of my family and friends,
so that we can once again share....
In the true meaning of Christmas,
the celebration of our Savior's birth,
while recollecting the many happy memories
we've made while living on this earth.
For although my Silver Bells have tarnished,
I still have my golden memories,
of the many Christmas' we shared together,
and how much they mean to me.
Always remember: that everything that is today,
will tomorrow no longer be........
So be happy today, for it too will be stored
amongst our golden memories.
Author: Agatha Weeks
Copyright © 2004
