Rhonda Johnson-Saunders | + Follow Poet |
Prose | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

A Christmas Memory

A Christmas Memory, 1985


The porch, decked in lights, said “Merry Christmas!” when we couldn’t utter the words. Our newly decorated Fraser Fir was a casualty of war that year, but my brother and I were the real victims. My mom and step-dad were battling again, weapons drawn. Neither retreating, they unwrapped and returned each other's gifts. I spent Christmas Eve at the mall, then wrapped dutifully all night.



 By Rhonda Johnson-Saunders, 11/19/15
for the Contest, A Christmas Memory (Sponsor: Broken Wings)

Copyright © Rhonda Johnson-Saunders | Year Posted 2015

Please Login to post a comment

Nayda Ivette Negron Flores Date: 12/2/2015 1:02:00 PM Congratulations Rhonda. Login to Reply

Eve Roper Date: 12/1/2015 10:53:00 PM Rhonda, sad memories are very hard to forget :-( congratulations on your win! Login to Reply

Paul Callus Date: 12/1/2015 4:15:00 PM A sad childhood experience, Rhonda; what a pity this had to happen on Christmas!! Congratulations on this merited win. ~ Regards // paul Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 12/1/2015 3:52:00 PM I sure remember this dark one. Congrats. So glad it placed well. Login to Reply

Dan Cwiak Date: 12/1/2015 3:32:00 PM Congrats Rhonda, on the win. You must have loved them very much, even if you were made to stay wrapped up. I am glad you unwrapped this memory. Login to Reply

Skat A Date: 12/1/2015 1:06:00 PM Rhonda, Congratulations on your Christmas Memory win. Luv **SKAT** Login to Reply

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 12/1/2015 12:05:00 PM - It is rare that I participate in anyone contest ...... however, this was so nice - Many great and some sad memories we shared - Congratulations with your poems, Rhonda :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply

Susan Gentry Date: 12/1/2015 2:00:00 AM Congrats Rhonda! Well written. Poetry helps me put some meaning to those experiences. This one touched my heart. Login to Reply

Jan Allison Date: 12/1/2015 1:47:00 AM Dropping back with my congrats Rhonda:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply

Viv Wigley Date: 12/1/2015 1:34:00 AM Families can be tough, and bizarrely get tougher at the one time of year when all should be laid aside. Great write, Rhonda, well done. Viv x Login to Reply

Dr. Upma A. Sharma Date: 11/30/2015 11:33:00 PM Sad memory must have had a tough time.. so beautifully penned Rhonda.. congrats on big win! Login to Reply

Sandra Haight Date: 11/22/2015 6:10:00 PM Such a sad memory, but so beautifully expressed, Rhonda. I was glad to read your reply to David that this is behind you now. All the best for the contest. Hugs, Sandra Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/20/2015 8:12:00 PM wow, you went to the dark side. Very good idea for it. I have no CLUE what to do for this simple contest!!(I love the way you ended this one. I know that feeling) Login to Reply

Nette Onclaud Date: 11/20/2015 9:07:00 AM my, a sullen holiday with such pathos, rhonda.. beautifully written!..huggs Login to Reply

Dr. Upma A. Sharma Date: 11/20/2015 3:51:00 AM Oh the sad memory i wrote sweet instead by mistake ... really sorry dear. Login to Reply

Dr. Upma A. Sharma Date: 11/20/2015 3:49:00 AM Sweet memory Rhonda so beautiffuly put to words ... best wishes in contest! Login to Reply

David Meade Date: 11/19/2015 7:02:00 PM Emotional violence wounds deeply especially the young heart! What I find comforting is knowing that this memory does not taint the love you have for your family! Not all memories are good but they don't have to define us. Login to Reply Rhonda Johnson-Saunders Date: 11/19/2015 8:26:00 PM Yes, emotional abuse wounds deeply. There was physical violence between them (that's how we lost the Christmas tree) but my brother and I were never physically abused. My scars are emotional. I still love my family very much and forgive them for the mistakes they made...thanks for caring, David. You are a kind soul.

Jan Allison Date: 11/19/2015 5:58:00 PM Oh such a sad memory Rhonda - good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx Login to Reply Rhonda Johnson-Saunders Date: 11/19/2015 8:19:00 PM Thanks, Jan. I try to learn from the bad memories and treasure the good ones.