Notes About The Poem

Image credit - PDSA.org.uk

Christmas Poetry Contest -Sponsored By Constance La France.

 

Christmas With Family

"Sometimes miracles happen when you're least expecting them. 
Quote by poet." 




It was the week before Christmas; it was a cold, bright snowy day
Told the kids we'll go sledging; unaware a blizzard was on the way
They all got into my jeep, and on the roof I fastened the kid's sled
Then in the large trunk I secured, our Bernese mountain dog, Jed.

I drove carefully for about five miles to where there were steep hills
We were well wrapped up from head to toe, against the winter chills
The kids and even my wife took it in turns going downhill on the sled
Then with bone chilling winds the blizzard hit; it filled me with dread.

I thought we must go home now or we might struggle to get back
Others had the same idea and were already driving down the track
The family got in the jeep, but I noticed there was no panting sound
Nobody had noticed Jed was missing and he was nowhere around.

I told my wife to drive the kids home and I'd go and search for Jed
I waved them off but I had some foreboding thoughts in my head
The images in my mind as they drove off were of all the kids crying
And what if Jed had met with an accident and he was slowly dying.

I searched through the dense forest, but he was nowhere to be found
The light faded and was getting dark; fresh snow covered the ground
I'd resume the search first light tomorrow, after a good night's sleep
But I was concerned it would be quite risky if the snow was too deep.

I didn't sleep very much, and thankfully it had now stopped snowing
Then climbed out of my warm bed and told my wife where I was going
For nigh on five hours I looked everywhere, but finding Jed wasn't to be
I drove home feeling very depressed, wondering what I'd tell the family.

On Christmas Eve we walked to our local church for a carol service
The kids were sad and they weren't singing; I couldn't help but notice
About nine o'clock we headed off home, it was a clear but cold night
Everyone was real silent and I didn't know, how I could put things right
We walked up the long snow-covered pathway, to our house in the dark
Then out of nowhere our Jed bounded toward us and gave a loud bark.



Written on the 4th December 2023
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Leach Avatar
October 6, 2024 at 12:18 PM
Beautiful, blessings from the Lord. He was with Jed.
Cunningham Avatar
October 6, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Thank you very much Alesia, I'm sure he was looking down on him. Our neighbour has got three of them, they're huge, it was the inspiration for it. Hope your weekend is going well. Tom
Scott Avatar
December 23, 2023 at 8:54 PM
A heart-warming story despite the cold, snowy weather. Have a blessed family Christmas, Tom.
Cunningham Avatar
December 23, 2023 at 9:04 PM
Thank you very much Sam, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Wishing you too a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New year. Tom
Rodgers Avatar
December 21, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Tom your poem is a thrilling rollercoaster ride! It starts with idyllic sledding fun, then plunges into chilling blizzard fears with Jed's disappearance. Your poem wrapped me in cozy winter joy, only to yank me into a blizzard of worry for Jed. The search was suspenseful, and I felt your desperation. The joyous ending was a delightful surprise, leaving me smiling. It's a reminder of Christmas miracles and the power of hope. - Blessings, Daniel
Cunningham Avatar
December 21, 2023 at 10:42 AM
Thank you very much Daniel, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Sometimes miracles happen when we're least expecting them. One thing we should never give up on is hope. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas and happiness and good health in 2024. Tom
Proxenos Avatar
December 19, 2023 at 12:36 AM
HI TOM SUCH A HEART WARMING POEM FOR CHRISTMAS. I LOVED IT AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN IN THE CONTEST. Wishing you and your family he best of everything over this Christmas season - SORRY ABOUT CAPS, my default remember. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.
Cunningham Avatar
December 19, 2023 at 1:38 AM
Thank you very much Jennifer, I hope you and Elias are both well. Wishing you too a very happy Christmas and good health and happiness in 2024. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom
La France Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 4:32 PM
Tom, wow, I am always amazed with your story telling, congratulations on your win in my Christmas contest, Constance
Cunningham Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 7:53 PM
Thank you very much Constance, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Thanks you also for hosting the contest. Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year. Tom
Seeker Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 12:14 AM
Ah, a happy ending after d8me anxious moments! Warmest congratulations on POTW, Tom
Cunningham Avatar
December 15, 2023 at 12:23 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats US. Much appreciated. Tom
Miller Avatar
December 13, 2023 at 7:33 AM
what a great story, and poem; congratulations.
Cunningham Avatar
December 13, 2023 at 7:36 AM
Thank you very much Terry, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope you have a happy Christmas. Tom
Jones Avatar
December 13, 2023 at 12:36 AM
Wow. You are amazing as a poet/storyteller. You have won both potd and potw! I bet this is a rare feat. Congratulations dear and keeping you in prayer for healing!
Cunningham Avatar
December 13, 2023 at 12:46 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Karen, I really wasn't expecting that. It is a rare event, I've never known it to happen thanks too for your prayers. Have a lovely day. Tom
Edmonds  Avatar
December 12, 2023 at 2:29 AM
Back with congratulations on your award for poem of the week Tom. Well deserved it is too… Belle
Cunningham Avatar
December 12, 2023 at 2:49 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Belle. Hope you are both keeping well. Tom
Kaufman Avatar
December 11, 2023 at 1:40 PM
Hi Tom, I'm so happy that this dog story ended well. Belated congratulations on your poem of the week which I presume is based on an actual experience.
Cunningham Avatar
December 11, 2023 at 7:22 PM
Thank you very much Nancy, it's actually a fictional write, My neighbour has got three of them and it was seeing them pass by that gave me the inspiration. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom
Jones Avatar
December 11, 2023 at 12:53 AM
I enjoyed this festive rhyme! You are a great storyteller! Congratulations on potw!
Cunningham Avatar
December 11, 2023 at 1:38 AM
Thank you very much Karen, I'm pleased that you enjoyed the story. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Tom
Nicole Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Animals are very smart, especially dogs. I've heard of something like this happening before. Animals are just like a member of the family. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. May you continue to heal. Congratulations Tom, on Poem of the Week. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Thank you very much for your congrats Brandy, I agree, they become a family member and if anything happens to them it's heartbreaking. But it amazes me how intelligent they are, being able to find their way home. I'm happy that you enjoyed the story. Hope you've had a lovely weekend. Tom
Baker Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 10:21 AM
Back to Congratulate you on your POTW, Tom! Yeah! Happy to see your beautiful writing rewarded, my friend. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Your poet friend in Texas, Bill
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 11:15 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Bill, much appreciated, must admit it was a nice surprise today. Wishing you and Sara a happy Christmas and good health and happiness in the new year. Tom
Kitchin Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 8:43 AM
Tom, back to congratulate you on POTW, a well deserved honor!
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 9:44 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Tania, I didnt know until I I saw lims comment, must admit a nice surprise this morning. Tom
M  Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:50 AM
Whoohoo!!! Yay……..so glad you got POTW my lovely friend….you so deserve it!! Your storytelling Skills are wonderful always captivating the reader! Debx
M  Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:58 AM
Mail back!
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:57 AM
It was a lovely surprise this morning Deb, gave me a much needed boost, thanks for the congrats and your return visit. Much appreciated. Tom
Goldsmith Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:37 AM
Back with Congratulations on your POTW win. I enjoyed reading your "Christmas With Family" wonderful write/story/great ending again. Glad to hear you are bouncing back. Stay well/keep writing your great writes.... Have a great day with your wonderful win....................
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:42 AM
Thank you Paula for your return visit and your congratulations. I'm happy you enjoyed it again. Have a lovely day. Tom
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:26 AM
Back with BIG congrats on POTW, Tom. Your poem resonates in festive spirit. Enjoy your special week.
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 7:41 AM
Thank you very much Vijay, for your congratulations and return visit. It's very much appreciated. Tom
Fowler Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 6:33 AM
Ah Tom. Delighted to see this as POTW! Back with Congratulations! :)
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 6:40 AM
Thank you very much for your return visit and congratulations Linda, it certainly gave me a boost when I saw the comment from Lin this morning. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 6:21 AM
A big congratulations to you, Tom, on POTW! Another lovely narrative!
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 6:38 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Kim, much appreciated. Hope your day is going well. Tom
Lane Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 2:38 AM
It’s not a miracle that your skill at storytelling has earned this one the honor of Poem of the Week. Congratulations to you, Tom!
Lane Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 3:32 AM
It’s thanks to you, Tom for the sagas you write that bring smiles to us. Hugs!
Cunningham Avatar
December 10, 2023 at 2:43 AM
I wasn't expecting that Lin, that's made my day, thank you very much. Tom
Kitchin Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Tom, a beautiful story and poem, love the ending.
Cunningham Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 9:53 PM
Thank you very much Tania, I know they become part of the family and losing them is so heartbreaking, we've had two over the years and both times we've struggled with their loss. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Tom
Beaufort Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 10:29 AM
Ahh, a reprise from the Jaws of Death. I hope you are well and still recovering. We have a lot of scares in the latter portions of life. You seem like such a wonderful person (perhaps a saint)....I hope you have many more opportunities to share such ideas that bring value and pleasure to all of us in this place.
Cunningham Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Thank you very much Duke, I remember when our Spaniel went missing although it was only a few hours we were frantic fearing the worst, when we found him he seemed surprised at all the fuss he was getting. They do become part of the family. I hope you are having a lovely weekend. I'm still recovering and doing exercises that the hospital physio gave me, just got to make sure I don't overdo it. Tom
Goldsmith Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 9:26 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write/story/picture/great ending. I love your stories. So glad you are back to writing. Please keep the stories coming... Have a wonderful day/weekend.................
Cunningham Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 9:46 PM
Thank you very much Paula, now I've had my surgery I'm bouncing back. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Tom
Fowler Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 7:11 AM
So glad you put a happy ending in this Tom. ;) I enjoyed reading this morning. :)
Cunningham Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 9:45 PM
Thank you very much Linda, I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Everyone loves a happy ending. Hope your weekend is going well. Tom
Sharma  Avatar
December 8, 2023 at 10:42 PM
Ohhh, I'm so glad that he found his way back home.. Thank goodness! Well, what an intriguing and impeccably crafted narrative this is, you truly are an amazing storyteller. I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading this from the beginning till the end as it kept my attention captivated.. Also, your descriptions and imageries are just brilliant with beautifully weaved rhymes.. Love this miracle on such a magical day as Christmas. Best of luck for the contest & have a wonderful weekend ahead :)
Cunningham Avatar
December 8, 2023 at 10:48 PM
Thank you very much for your good wishes Hiya, since joining soup I've tried many different forms but I always come back to narratives and rhyme. I find Christmas quite an emotional time and when good things happen they do seem miraculous. I hope you too have a lovely weekend. Tom
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