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A Very Wet Christmas

When I was twelve, the rains came and came On Christmas Eve it was just the same The beautiful presents waited under the tree We never got to open them, for you see The swollen river could hold no more We had no idea the horror in store With nothing but the clothes on our backs We left our home, that night so black Through waste high water to higher ground The swirling current a terrifying sound Huddled together with neighbors and friends That night our Christmas came to an end Our home was gone..but we had each other Me, mother, father and my older brother. On Christmas Eve I stop and remember The fear on that day in late December But thankful that we had trust and love The best gifts, gifts from our father above...

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Noel Villarosa

Date: 11/20/2010 6:56:00 AM

Still God is good to us, for showing mercy at the brink of nearly losing lives. A very inspiring narrative of a family struggles but your faith still holds. (^_^) Noel.

Wilma Neels

Date: 11/20/2010 5:32:00 AM

Nothing like a natural disaster to make us realise what is really important Barbara.. Beautiful write you got here.. If this is for Constance's contest? All the best to you ;)

Joe Maverick

Date: 11/18/2010 1:41:00 PM

Hello Barbara, certainly a hard time you endured, especially while young, still i guess it has helped you put things into perspective through times and problems since encountered.

Sylvia Coulstock

Date: 11/18/2010 7:29:00 AM

Barbara I didn't think of Constance's poem.I hope you will enter it.It certainly ticks all the boxes.If you do then I wish you good luck Once again, Love June .

Sylvia Coulstock

Date: 11/18/2010 7:17:00 AM

Hi Barbara.This must have been awful for you as a young child without the wisdom or understanding to see anything good could come from the situation.Without making light of it now. looking back,no-one was hurt.neighbours rallied round and you"had trust and love"There is sadness here and yet something far deeper that you have conveyed so well.There are many tragedies in life.If I can I always try to look for the bigger picture.Thank you for sharing your sad memory yet in a positive way.Love June

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 11/18/2010 5:43:00 AM

What a terrible experience for your family on Christmas, LNC. Gifts never open lost in a holiday flood. Still, you had your family and to me the best gifts are having loved ones with you. Material things can be replaced; loved ones can't. But I bet you have always wondered what was in those unopened packages that were destroyed. A very touching entry for Constance's contest and I wish you success. Just sorry your family had to go through this. Love, Carolyn

James Marshall Goff

Date: 11/17/2010 8:27:00 PM

BG....sounds like the floods in the "Red River Valley" near the North Dakota/Minnesota border....I read this beauty quickly! your anticipation and emotion coming through strongly!....if I walk around the edges inside the"mall" on every level, it takes me just about an hour, perfect!....jimbo

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 11/17/2010 6:48:00 PM

a beautiful write, enjoyed,..p.d.

Carrie Richards

Date: 11/17/2010 6:26:00 PM

Wow...was this an event in Northern California? I'm thinking the Russian River or some where else? What a sad story, Barbara...and makes one value what is truly important.