Heart of Christmas Beating

I love Christmas again, for years I tolerated it only, for it was full of such sorrow for me, it made me sad; but time changes everything, this year is different, this year I am surrounded by friends collected like gems. I put up Christmas decorations, the windows are lit, blinking lights hang everywhere possible, it is bright; and I seem to have a thing for Christmas snowmen, and I am singing Christmas songs and baking cookies. But when I am thinking of Christmas, I am taken back, back to when I was a little girl visiting Grandpa's farm; we always went there for Christmas and it was beautiful, the scenery all wintery white and we would chop down a tree. Decorating it with all sorts of decorations and lights, we sang songs and Mom and Grandma made the meal; I sat on Grandpa's lap, snug and happy as any girl ever, then he would say to me, its time to take care of the horses. Oh delight, that was the very best part of the day, I hurried to put on my red coat and hat and new scarf; and out to the barn we strolled hand in hand, Grandpa was great, I loved the horses, especially one, and he liked me too. Grandpa said he needed to walk so I led him out, I was so little the horse had to bend down his head; laughing Grandpa said, who is leading who funny girl, those memories are for me the heart of Christmas beating. Now, those I loved are gone . . . time to make new memories. ________________________________ November 24, 2016 (Edit Dec. 9,2019) Poetry/Verse/Heart of Christmas Beating Copyright Protected, ID 16-1206-443-02 All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym. * * Submitted to the contest, Strand Special Sponsor, Brian Strand Honorable Mention * * * *