An absent friend at Christmas

The children are sleeping Well they’re in bed at least Family in the kitchen Preparing the feast . The presents are wrapped Nestled under the tree I sit alone by the fireside With a glass of brandy The candles are lit The lights turned down low Peace permeates chaos In this Christmas Eve glow It’s here that I find you In these embers of light And although you have left us You are present tonight Your love and your laughter Your Yuletide extremes Making everything special With your Christmas routines You’re not a distant memory Not just a bauble on the tree This is the time I miss you most In the heart of my own family But you are here, you are with us Because love, love doesn’t die. It still lives on within us It cannot say goodbye When we gather round the table When the mistletoe is kissed You’re in the hearts that cherish you And once again you’re in our midst…