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Miracle On Ford Street

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Christmas Poems New Or Old Poetry Contest

Written On The  8th December 2021.

Sponsored By Constance La France.

 

St Anthony's orphanage was founded some thirty years ago For homeless and orphaned children, by a priest Father Angelo Every child was made welcome; race and religion mattered not And every Christmas Father Angelo ensured presents they all got. Throughout the year many fundraisers were held inside and out Father Angelo was determined his children wouldn't go without He had much to do before Christmas and heard snow was on the way And walked to the bank to get funds, for presents on Christmas day. He put the cash in an inside pocket and set off for the orphanage Located two miles up Ford Street, just past the river bridge He heard someone running behind him then felt a blow to his head And as he fell forward heard voices, but didn't grasp what was said. He came too some time later; police and medics were there Two medics lifted him up and put him in a wheelchair Then he remembered the money he'd withdrawn from the bank Put his hand into his inside pocket and his spirits sank. He was rushed to hospital and a doctor checked the wound on his head The doctor said "You're suffering mild concussion" and advised rest in bed A policeman took his statement and said, "No one, witnessed anything " Father Angelo was more concerned that the kids would have nothing. Two days later it was Christmas eve and the kids were full of cheer He hadn't the heart to tell them Santa wouldn't be calling this year That evening they gathered for carols, by the Christmas tree Then the kids went upstairs to bed; they were all full of glee. He then went to the side chapel and knelt down to pray And for the first time in thirty years he was dreading Christmas day At least they'd have a nice dinner; the bank always donated food Then slowly walked up stairs to bed, in a very despondent mood. He couldn't sleep and asked God "Why have you abandoned me ?" Usually this time Christmas eve he'd be putting presents by the tree He couldn't help but feel in some way that he'd let the children down But he knew that tomorrow he'd have to be jolly, and not wear a frown. He woke up early but was full of dread on this joyful day And knew he didn't have answers and wouldn't know what to say He got up and went downstairs; there was an eerie silence A feeling of foreboding came over him and thought is this penance. He could see their disappointment some had tears in their eyes But unknown to any of them they were in for a big surprise The silence was shattered by loud knocking on the window Then in walked Santa who said "Sorry, I was stuck in the snow." An elf was with him and they had presents, for every girl and boy The sombre mood was lifted and was now one of great joy All the kids were jumping up and down, squealing with delight Father Angelo had never before witnessed a more beautiful sight. Everywhere in the room was the sound of happy laughter The floor was strewn with sheets of discarded wrapping paper Santa and his elf were helping all the kids with their toys And thanked each and every one for being good girls and boys. Santa then approached Father Angelo who was still in shock Saying "You're well respected in town and everyone thinks you rock Then when everyone heard about what had happened to you They all agreed that there must be something that they could do." "We called the big businesses in town, and asked for a donation Total strangers wanted to help too when they heard of your situation Remember the cop who was at the hospital, well that cop was me And I was determined that I'd restore your faith in humanity." "For as long as I can remember you've helped kids through the years" Father Angelos lip quivered and he couldn't stop the flow of tears Then added how he'd lost his parents twenty five years back And said "It was you Father Angelo who got my life back on track." Father Angelo managed to compose himself and he had this to say "Last night I prayed to God asking, for a miracle to save the day You and all those generous people came together to help me Every one of you are a generous gift from God to humanity."

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 12/24/2024 10:03:00 AM
Tom, congratulations on your win in my Christmas Poem Contest. Your poem is beautifully penned and so touching, I loved it and your image, well done, and also congratulations on the Poem of the Day honor, Merry Christmas, Constance
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/24/2024 2:06:00 PM
Thank you very much for your congrats Constance and for my placement, much appreciated. Also for hosting the contest. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. Tom
Date: 12/14/2024 9:53:00 PM
Hi Tom, once again back to your beautiful poem to Congratulate you on your great win. Father Angelo and his orphanage were once more lighted with cheer. God won't let good people down.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/14/2024 11:00:00 PM
Thank you very much for your return visit and congratulations Valsa, much appreciated. I'm happy that you enjoyed it a second time around. Tom
Date: 12/14/2024 3:47:00 AM
Congrats! Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/14/2024 3:53:00 AM
Thank you very much Beata, and a very happy Christmas to you too and good health and happiness in the new year. Tom
Date: 12/13/2024 8:56:00 PM
You gave us a beautiful gift dear poet, 'faith'. Thank you. Lovely poem, congratulations on your win. you won us all! Happy Christmas, Cheers.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2024 9:58:00 PM
Thank you very much Thriveni, I'm happy you enjoyed it, it's reassuring to know that there are lovely people that go out of their way to help others. I too wish you a happy Christmas and good health and happiness in the coming New Year. Tom
Date: 12/13/2024 6:52:00 PM
A wonderful story that captures the true meaning of spirit. My heart sank at what happened to Father Angelo, but all turned out well in the end :-) Congratulations Tom on your well deserved 1st place win. Hugs & Smiles~Anne :-)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2024 8:14:00 PM
Thank you very much Anne, I'm happy you enjoyed the story. Despite all the gloom and bad news we here there are some really good people in the world. Have a lovely weekend and Merry Christmas. Tom
Date: 12/13/2024 12:15:00 PM
- A joy to read again, Tom, a story that will always warm your heart - Congratulations on another win on this poem :) - hugs
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2024 12:21:00 PM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Anne Lise I'm happy you enjoyed it a second time round, have a lovely weekend. Tom
Date: 9/20/2022 4:05:00 PM
I missed out on this; I wasn't yet a Souper. So, thank goodness I got another chance. So deeply touching. It will be with me at every Christmas. Elizabeth
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/20/2022 9:40:00 PM
Thank you very much Elizabeth, dispite all the doom and gloom and lowlifes in this world I wanted to show the good side of it. There are indeed some good folks about who put others before themselves. Tom
Date: 9/14/2022 9:59:00 AM
This poem is a "generous gift" indeed Tom! You took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions - hopeful, sad and now tearful joy! I will continue to say that you are a master storyteller! Have you thought about writing this as a short story for Christmas? It is wonderful and a shining example of all that is good. Blessings. Over Fork Over! This is a fav for me.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/14/2022 10:21:00 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats and return visit Sam, very much appreciated. There are some real lowlifes in our world and I wanted to show that the good outweigh the bad. I hope I succeeded, thanks too for faving it. Hope you're keeping well. Over Fork Over. Tom
Date: 9/14/2022 9:04:00 AM
Tom, my Heartfelt congratulations on winning top placement in my contest. What a great piece of writing. That was something that I enjoyed reading. Blessings
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/14/2022 10:01:00 AM
Thank you very much for your congratulations and placement Lasaad, it's very much appreciated. Thanks too for hosting the contest. Greetings from Wales, I'm on the move again. Hope you're well. Tom
Date: 1/3/2022 1:50:00 PM
"I will add your uplifting poem to "It's a wonderful life" and "Miracle on 34th street" to my list of holiday favorites." Happy New Year, Tom!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/3/2022 1:56:00 PM
Thank you very much Robert, im deeply honoured, thank you. I hope you too have a very happy and healthy New year. I always watch a wonderful life at Christmas time, a true classic that I never get tired of watching. Tom
Date: 12/16/2021 3:50:00 AM
I am so pleased this Christmas story had a happy ending and was enjoyed by one and all..Stay safe and well Tom. Very worrying news about Omicron...Delice
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/16/2021 7:16:00 AM
Thank you very much Delice, im happy you enjoyed it. They're saying this is the big one, let's hope we all come out the other end unscathed. Hope you're well. Tom
Date: 12/15/2021 4:58:00 PM
Hello Tom - What a beautiful masterpiece. This entry is well thought out in its entirety with clarity and emotion. God bless Father Angelo and all... Be very proud of your work story and execution. Blessings always.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/16/2021 7:15:00 AM
Thank you very much Lisa, dispite all the bad in the world its nice to know that there are some wonderful people about. Tom
Date: 12/14/2021 8:29:00 AM
Wow! This is a tearjerker! I agree with Caren…this should get POTD! Such a beautiful write through and through! Merry Christmas!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/14/2021 8:39:00 AM
Thank you very much Kim, I'm glad you enjoyed it . It was ,last Thursday. I hope you too have a wonderful Christmas with your family. tom
Date: 12/13/2021 12:26:00 PM
I think this should be POTD and POTW
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2021 12:29:00 PM
Thank you very much Caren, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. It was potd last Thursday. Tom
Date: 12/13/2021 9:06:00 AM
Tom, once again you've shown you are a master story teller. This wonderful narrative about a Christmas miracle is exceptional in every respect. Janice
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2021 10:36:00 AM
Thank you very much Janice, im happy that you enjoyed it. Enjoy the week ahead. Tom
Date: 12/13/2021 7:21:00 AM
A very belated congratulations on your POTD. I have so many worries with the Bank i Malta and Sunday and today were feast. I am praying for patience until I resolve my problems. Well done and my apologies.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2021 8:51:00 AM
Thank you very much for your return visit and congrats Victor, no apology needed, I hope that you get things sorted out with the bank. Tom
Date: 12/12/2021 11:45:00 PM
This is so sweet Tom and in your wonderful inimitable fashion. Congratulations on your wonderful POTD honor! So sorry this is belated. Blessings xxoo
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2021 12:41:00 AM
Thank you very much Connie, no apology needed. I'm happy that you enjoyed it and I hope that you are well. Tom
Date: 12/12/2021 3:35:00 PM
Wonderful piece my friend really enjoyed reading, thank you Tom...
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/13/2021 12:40:00 AM
Thank you very much Michael, I haven't seen you for a while, I hope that you are keeping well. Tom
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Michael Tor
Date: 12/12/2021 3:39:00 PM
Heartfelt narrative deserving of POTD...
Date: 12/12/2021 10:06:00 AM
Once again your narrative has been a delight to read, Tom. A perfect choice for this time of year. Congratulations on being awarded p.o.t.d. ~ Regards // paul
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/12/2021 10:19:00 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats Paul, im happy that you enjoyed it. I hope you are keeping well. Tom
Date: 12/11/2021 10:28:00 AM
Awesome Tom, brought tears in my eyes...A beautiful heartrending descriptive story so well weaved...I always believe God silently listens to our prayers and answers them even when we least expect it...A well deserved POTD honor...Hearty congratulations...Sorry for wishing you late...God bless...~ Ani
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/11/2021 10:43:00 AM
Thank you very much for your congrats Ani, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, he moves in mysterious ways often through others, it's heartwarming to know that there are some good people in our societies. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Tom
Date: 12/11/2021 5:45:00 AM
Tom, this brought tears! Your story is inspirational and so well crafted. What an excellent write for any time of year but most especially this time!! A happy weekend!!!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/11/2021 7:53:00 AM
Thank you very much Mike, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. We hear of so much of bad things happening in life but then we hear of the good things and how good some people are that restore any negative feelings you have about humanity. I hope you too have a lovely weekend. Tom
Date: 12/10/2021 4:02:00 PM
Oh Tom, this is a remarkably breathtaking, heart thumping story of the goodness of humanity that surrounds us, I think this should be a Christmas Classic for every one! Thank you for this very special Christmas tale. Blessings, Paulette
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/11/2021 3:36:00 AM
Thank you very much Paulette, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. There is without doubt a lot of good in humanity that is often overlooked and the media seem to focus on the bad things that happen. Enjoy your weekend. Tom
Date: 12/10/2021 2:58:00 PM
There's always a beauty in Humanity.. you receive what you give and more..I liked "I'd restore your Faith in Humanity"! What a message and a moral! If only we all focus on what is good in Human beings.. What a wonderful story of empathy, Love, care, Hope and Faith! Humanity hand in hand for a warmer and merrier Christmas.. The story is so powerful by the power of your words and mastery of storytelling! An immense pleasure to read and highly appreciate.. Congratulations on your POTD honour, Tom.. A well deserved recognition and acknowledgement.. Merry Christmas! Stay always happy and blessed. My deepest regards and blessings.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/11/2021 3:30:00 AM
Thank you very much Besma and for your good wishes There are some bad apples in the barrel of life but I agree there is plenty of beauty too Tom
Date: 12/10/2021 12:09:00 PM
- Hi Tom ... what a wonderful story .. told with emotions that touch everyone's Christmas hearts ... I want to hide this poem in my favorite box ... - I have to go to town to buy Christmas presents tomorrow ... have a lovely weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/10/2021 2:12:00 PM
Thank you very much Anne, im happy that you enjoyed my heartwarming story. Take care when you venture out this weekend. Tom
Date: 12/9/2021 11:28:00 PM
Wow Tom you are such an amazing storyteller and such a moving heart wrenching tale which I enjoyed reading ~ thank you Tom and sending many congrats for your POTD. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/10/2021 12:25:00 AM
Thank you very much Ann, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Hope you're keeping well. Tom
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