Home » Poems » Bj Legros Kelley » The Christmas Gift

The Christmas Gift

Christmas Day of '61 A cherished memory In my life just begun A baby then of two years old a memory that Shines out like gold! Old Red (My stuffed dog) Had just found me Sweet canine face of plastic hiding neath the Christmas tree Charlotte, my sister Mary's doll, Was her most cherished gift of all Another joyous sweet surprise Was sister Barbara's precious gift a doll; "Baby Big Eyes' And what a lovely memory One that I most adore dad and brother Freddy Played together on the floor! What was it that brought peals of joy Excitement and delight What magic gift had Santa left Shining on in memory bright? A little train upon a track And puffs of smoke rose from its stack! That little train brought so much joy To daddy and his little boy! Now looking back, long years ago The family that we use to know The dearest gift of all to me The precious gift of memory

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Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/30/2021 4:15:00 AM

Ahh!! Reads like an exciting time. The time that the parents spent playing with a child was the most cherished part. I enjoyed reading this one today. Thanks for all your visits to my page. Sara

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/30/2021 11:19:00 AM

You are right Sara, it was so fun to see my dad on the floor along with my brother, just so much joy and excitement on their faces, so very sweet! I actually love coming to your site and reading your poems, and except for actually being ill and not able to be on here much at all, I would have been over a lot more. I hope Wayne is doing ok today, and all your family is well. Thank you for dropping by and visiting my poems and leaving comments, I so appreciate. God bless you Sara <3

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/27/2021 6:44:00 PM

Excellent poem. I enjoyed reading these cherished memories :)

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/30/2021 11:14:00 AM

Thank you Heidi, it is a sweet memory that stands out joyfully in my mind. I still own old 'Red', and I think that is partly why this memory shines out in my heart across the years. It was such a happy day :-) <3

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 12/27/2021 9:55:00 AM

so precious your delicate memory of him dear poet friend, if we close our eyes 30 years can melt away really quickly when we choose the adorned memory of our loved ones, thank you for honoring me in your contest, I enjoyed writing for you, much love and prayers, xo

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/27/2021 11:13:00 AM

I found this to be true this year, the memories were almost crystal clear, it almost felt like the years were melting away. I thought of the precious loved ones that have gone on before who use to fill our home at our Christmas parties, and it was almost scary to close my eyes and see these memories so sharp and clear, almost as if they were here again. What a beautiful, treasured gift our memories are. You are a blessing Mystic Rose, thank you for your sweet comment and for sharing your lovely poem in the contest. Love and prayers to you as well! <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/25/2021 10:44:00 PM

i love this one. SO sweet. You must not be too different from me in age. I began remembering christmases like this especially after 1964

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/26/2021 8:37:00 PM

I think we are close in age, are you 35 and holding too? ;-D This is one of my first memories in 1961, and I think I remember the dolls because of photos and Old Red has been with me all my life, photographs help. The really crazy sharp memory of that Christmas was my brother's new train, I always loved the trains! I stepped on the track, and my dad and brother were alarmed. Somebody picked me up and carried me out! I think I was protesting the matter of being removed from the happy scene!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 12/19/2021 10:51:00 PM

Memories like this are golden and will be cherished forever. I love your example that exudes the warmth and joy of Christmas. Blessings and Mele Kalikimaka! xxoo

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/26/2021 8:54:00 PM

Thank you Connie <3 I love the memory, we lived in New York at that time, we moved West, and I am able to differentiate where the memory took place and how old I was when we moved. I feel blessed to remember that Christmas moment. My husband bought me a train this Christmas! I asked if it was because of this poem, He thinks he ordered it before I wrote this! I think I have a new most wonderful memory! It is our 45th Christmas together. I thought I did amazing buying him new shoes, shirts and jeans....he bought me a train! I am so blessed watching it run around the Christmas tree as I type! Blessings to you as well, I hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 12/5/2021 5:51:00 AM

How enchanting...You have penned a package of warmth and joy. Blessings, Paulette

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/15/2021 12:13:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by and commenting with such kind words Paulette. I feel sad I haven't been able to be on here and reply back. I do hope you and yours are having a wonderful season of peace, joy and all that is wonderful. May your Christmas be richly blessed <3

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 12/4/2021 4:56:00 PM

Beautiful. Love it!!!! God bless you. Love, Gina

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/15/2021 12:08:00 AM

Thank you so much Regina, your words bless my heart! I hope you are doing well my sweet friend, and that your Christmas season is filled with much joy, peace and health. God bless you as well Gina!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 12/3/2021 11:26:00 PM

Great and beautiful memory very effortlessly and gladly said.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/15/2021 12:06:00 AM

Thank you Chrituraj, I appreciate you stopping by and leaving such a gracious comment, very encouraging to my heart. I hope you and yours are all well and having a wonderful season with much joy!

Valsa George

Date: 12/2/2021 3:49:00 AM

Lovely childhood memories of Christmas ! As children Christmas time is a time of anticipated family re-unions , Christmas decorations, Santa and his Christmas gifts ! Very well demonstrated for the contest

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/15/2021 12:04:00 AM

Thank you so much Valsa, your comment is very encouraging to me. I have grandchildren now, and though Christmas becomes a hectic and busy time for us older ones, I try to remember that we are making memories for them now. They are living the treasured time of childhood. I love seeing Christmas again through their eyes, and treasuring those sweet memories of so long ago. Thank you so much for stopping by with your sweet comment! Merry Christmas to you and yours <3

Eve Roper

Date: 12/1/2021 8:27:00 PM

Christmas poem of a memorable time, BJ, great example.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/15/2021 12:00:00 AM

Thank you so much Eve, it is a wonderful time to remember those treasured moments from the past. These are the greatest gifts of all. It's so good to hear from you, I hope you and yours are doing well. Please stay healthy, and have a wonderful Christmas!

Charles Messina

Date: 12/1/2021 9:22:00 AM

Beautiful memories, BJ. Nicely written...great example for your contest. Hugs Charlie

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/14/2021 11:58:00 PM

Thank you so much Charlie, I appreciate your dropping by with your encouraging comment, it is so good to hear from you. I hope you and yours are doing well as Christmas approaches. I feel terrible to be commenting back so late, but we ended up sick and are finally on the rebound. It is sweet medicine to read your kind comment. God bless you, and hugs back to you as well!

Beata Agustin

Date: 11/30/2021 11:55:00 PM

Thanks for sharing this... delightful and delighting from the start til the end. God bless you.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/14/2021 11:54:00 PM

Thank you so much Beata! It is a fun memory. I hope you are doing well and having a wonderful Christmas season filled with much joy, peace, and all good things. God bless you as well my sweet friend <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/30/2021 10:28:00 AM

Awesome example of how to do your contest. What a lovely Xmas that was for you.

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/14/2021 11:51:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea, I appreciate you stopping by with your sweet comment! It was a sweet memory, one of my first memories in life. I still have my old stuffed dog Red, one of the few treasured toys I've been able to hold onto all my life. My sisters both held onto their dolls for decades, but passed them on eventually, but I still have a few. Thank you for stopping by, it is a joy to read your sweet comment as always. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and keep healthy! <3

Constance La France

Date: 11/30/2021 8:41:00 AM

BJ, this is a lovely poem of Christmas past memories, it touched my heart and is a great example for your contest, I have so many memories also ~ love and serenity _Constance

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/14/2021 11:45:00 PM

Thank you so much Constance <3 I'm sorry to respond to your sweet comment so late, my hubby and I became ill and still recovering. It is wonderful to be back on here and find your sweet comment to me. You are an encouragement to me. I hope you're doing well and are blessed!

Anisha Dutta

Date: 11/30/2021 12:27:00 AM

Childhood memories of gifts always enjoyable. Blessings

Bj Legros Kelley
Date: 12/14/2021 11:41:00 PM

I agree, there is a certain wonder in childhood, everything is so new and amazing. The memories are priceless treasures long after the gifts have grown old or we don't own them anymore. The real treasure is in the memories <3 Thank you for stopping by Anisha, I hope your holiday season is blessed!