Ten Years Old That Christmas Day

I went to sleep on Christmas Eve and woke up in the past With cotton footed jammies on, that I was ten when I wore last I saw a man who looks like me, who I realized was my Dad Sitting in front of the fireplace, holding my Mom and looking glad The Christmas tree was standing tall; bubbling candles string of lights Seven piles of presents scattered there, awaiting the kids asleep at night Johnny and Jimmy in the next door room; brother, Tommy in the bunk below Cathy and Patsy at the end of the hall, baby Jenny rocked in a cradle slow Snow was covering the mountain top where we had been sledding all that week No school to keep us busy, the cold adding a redness to our cheek I could sense my cloak of innocence; I could taste my excitement for the coming day I still clung onto the Santa myth – the year before it slipped away Johnny was so small for his age, but played sports with the best of them Jimmy already had his art hanging up all around the family den Cathy still slept with her baby dolls; Tommy stood smaller than me Patsy wore her tom-boy smile; we all took care of little baby Jenny A tear came to my eye just then, realizing soon I would be back in the present time And this scene from forty-five years ago is just a memory lost inside of my mind Then I realized that tomorrow morning will paint a memory for our youngest son And a smile lit up my face again as I said, “Goodbye” to everyone Johnny is now a Grandfather and respected Doctor in his trade Jimmy left us far too young but a difference he really made Cathy is taking care of Mom who, in turn, takes care of her Tommy takes care of everyone and is full of life and character Patsy still wears her tom-boy smile – the best athlete of the bunch Jenny is the pride of all of us – I kind of had that as a hunch And Dad is now a few years gone, though I still talk to him every day Feeling the love I saw in his eyes when I was ten years old that Christmas Day