My Saddest Christmas..12/27/'97 Pt. I

There were no premonitions, no feelings of sadness- no dreams I picked up the phone in the kitchen; my brother-in-law’s voice greeted me I could tell that he was stalling; thought my younger sibling had misbehaved, again ‘Alright, what’s she done now, and did you guys tell Mama?” I asked. ..(silence) “Mama’s gone”. He said, almost inaudibly. Not sure I’d heard correctly, “What’d you say?” I asked, feeling the rising fire…”Mama’s gone, Audrey”. In shock I dropped the phone as I tried to stifle my wailing Quite useless was my effort, as the family awoke from sleep For hours I laid sprawled on the floor, no one could console me The grief so overwhelmed me, left the deepest hole in my heart When he called again, his voice breaking, he began to explain Mama spent days, making the Christmas pudding, a tradition in our family; Personally, she’d wrapped the ones to give as gifts - usually left for the children do Mama’s house throughout the years was the meeting place Where children, everyone congregated, practically every day Christmas Day was joyful; friends too had dropped by to share the joy She had danced with all her grandchildren; she was feeling very well When I spoke with her early Christmas morning, she gave no sign of being ill Cont'd ~*~ Note: By Audrey Carey Submitted To: “The Saddest Christmas, Ever” Contest Sponsored by: Constance La France, ~A Rambling Poet ~