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A December Memento

When Mama lay dying a sad Christmas because We visited her in Memorial on that Christmas Eve, She’d hidden away our presents as old Santa Claus. She told us where to find them as we got up to leave, It was a poignant moment, and it still gives me pause. [Sicilian Quintain] Written December 6, 2022 Submitted to “A Christmas Memento” Poetry Contest Sponsored by Andrea Dietrich

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Ann Peck

Date: 12/26/2022 2:46:00 PM

How interesting, Milton. A lovely memento Congratulations on first!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/26/2022 9:37:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful yet sad write. Have a blessed day.................

Christuraj Alex

Date: 12/25/2022 2:20:00 AM

Indeed, a poignant moment, yet, ponderable. Congratulations!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/24/2022 6:57:00 PM

This is a very touching memory and a great quintain. Congrats in my contest, Milt, and Merry Christmas to you.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/6/2022 11:00:00 PM

Beautiful memory, terrifically penned Hank.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 12/6/2022 3:48:00 PM

A touching and loving memory Milt. What a giving and thoughtful mother. You were blessed to have her in your life.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2022 6:51:00 PM

I was, truly, blessed with a wonderful mother. I just did not have her around long enough in the flesh. She is always with me in spirit.

Jenna Logan

Date: 12/6/2022 1:18:00 PM

In near death, she thought of gifts for her family. Your loss still weighs heavy, Milt.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2022 1:36:00 PM

She did, Jenna. That's the kind of woman and mother she was. She was 42 years old.

Marco Chies

Date: 12/6/2022 1:00:00 PM

Beautifully sad. My brother died on Christmas night, he was only 04 years old, I was 06 and that moment was so shocking that even today I see him vomiting blood (advanced leukemia) and my parents screaming in terror. In the morning, next to the Christmas tree, the little white coffin with him finally resting.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2022 1:37:00 PM

Oh my, Marco. That's an image that obviously has stayed with you your entire life. What a tragic loss!

Jenna Logan
Date: 12/6/2022 1:17:00 PM

Oh, Marco, your brother's tragedy is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry you and your family had such an ordeal, on any day.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/6/2022 10:49:00 AM

A beautiful memory Milton, even in her dying moments she was thinking of her family. Good luck. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2022 11:28:00 AM

Indeed, she was, Tom. Although this was our last Christmas together, she lingered on until the end of July. She struggled with melanoma for five years. I was fifteen when she died. She was an incredible mother, and I believe she is still with me every day. Seldom does a day go by that I don't think fondly of her.

Becky Forbes

Date: 12/6/2022 10:15:00 AM

Very touching. Thank you for sharing!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2022 10:42:00 AM

Thank you, Becky. It's actually what happened. My most memorable Christmas ever!