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 ~
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Esquire Avatar
December 13, 2010 at 7:29 AM
Dear Audrey, I can't even imagine the pain and devastation YOU went through. with a heavy Heart I Congratulate YOU on YOUR placement in Constance's Contest I read part 2 also LOVE ALWAYS YOUR Liege...HG - SOUP MAIL CALL
Dietrich Avatar
December 12, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Oh, there it is, in the very first lines, you picked up the phone!! so sorry it did not even register with me when I went to the second part, that you were not even there. Yes, that makes it even all the more tragic for you, poor dear. To be so far away when it happened! Thanks for the soupmail to let me know that. LUv ya, Andrea
Dietrich Avatar
December 10, 2010 at 7:49 PM
oh, my it really is so sad. Congratulations in the contest, Audrey. Let me go find part two now.
Brown Avatar
December 7, 2010 at 5:21 AM
Congratulations on your win Audrey in Constance's "Saddest Christmas Ever"contest. Love,Carol
Null Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Congrats on your win....Karla
Sweetheart Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Congrats Audrey my dear friend on your big win in Constance's contest for this emotional entry and sensitive write .. enjoy another top ten win today with luv ...
Mehta Avatar
December 5, 2010 at 6:17 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Constance, Audrey
Richards Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 5:55 PM
So heartbreaking, Audrey.........I need to go read the continuation....yet I can see why this was a winning poem. Beautifully written, and so moving. Love, Carrie
Whitlock-Ishway Avatar
November 21, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Thank you for sharing Audrey... I am sorry for your loss.
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