Community Chat

[cherry]

Thank your family member for their sacrifice, and try to enjoy the holidays, even if you are separated by distances

[ShowMe]

---

@cherry wrote:

Thank your family member for their sacrifice, and try to enjoy the holidays, even if you are separated by distances

---

What a lovely message.  Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Guess what!!!!!  We have another water main break in the area.  This is about the 4th one in the last few weeks.  They only give us a trickle of water so we have something to drink.  Sure glad that I'm not having a crowd of folks in today.  What a mess that would be. 

[viva923]

This forum is a life saver for so many. How I wished they had this forum some 44 yrs ago. My 2nd christmas (married) was so miserable. I cried the entire day, plus I had a brand new baby (born in Oct).  I was a alone on a strange island, thousands of miles away from any family.  I was never so miserable in all my life. 

Somehow I was able to survive. 

I was a newly married wife ( 2--1/2 yrs) to a wonderful man in the navy. He was deployed on his 1st ship (during Vietnam).  

I grew up a whole lot that holiday season.  Somehow I gained enough knowledge, and learning I was able to remain with my military husband and spend the next 20 yrs traveling with him and raising 2 kids. DH finally retired at 20 yrs from the military. 

Military living is a hard life, but a good life. I wouldn't traded it for anything.

DH and I are enjoying our day with some of our grand children playing with thier toys.  

A wonderful Christmas to everyone.

[cherry]

@ShowMe  I hope it is soon fixed

[dooBdoo]

          What a thoughtful thread, @cherry.    You're always thinking of others, and I appreciate that.❤️   I saw this posted today by a friend in the military and wanted to share it.

"T'was the night before Christmas
He lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
To see just who,
in this dwelling did live.

I looked all around
A strange sight to see
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

On the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
Metals 'n badges, awards of every kind;
A sobering thought came alive in my mind.

This house was different...
it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier,
I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, Alone;
Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder;
Not at all how I pictured
a United States' soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read;
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families
I saw this night,
Owed their lives to soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

In the morning, round the world,
Children would play;
Grown-ups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.

But they all enjoy freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christma Eve
In lands far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eyes;
I dropped to my knees,
I started to cry.

The soldier awakened
I heard his rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is MY choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more;
My life is my God,
My country, My corps."

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep.
But, I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still;
As both of us shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave him
On that cold, dark night;
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.

Then, the soldier rolled over,
In a voice soft and pure,
He whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night."

(from the poem "Merry Christmas, My Friend" by James M. Schmidt)

http://k2radio.com/a-soldiers-silent-night-still-one-of-the-most-popular-songs-at-christmas-video/

[cherry]

I've always loved that @dooBdoo

[ShowMe]

@dooBdoo........this brought tears to my eyes.....  Have never read or seen it before.  Thanks dear friend for posting it.  Really makes a person stop and think.  They are so special in so many ways.

[meallen616]

[queendiva]

Thank you all. My 2nd Lt son's first Christmas away from home in another country. We did get to visit by phone today (Christmas).