What will you do this Christmas?

[CAJ1]

Last night, I was thinking of the next 2 weeks and how I'm going to make the most of my boyfriend being here before he has to go away to Iraq. Everyone takes the most important people in their lives for granted and its only when they're gone or they have to go away for a while that you realise how much they fulfil your life.

What will you do over the holiday period to let the people close to you know that you care and don't take them for granted?

[4getmenot]

nothing because they are all leaving me. lol I;m going to redcrx rather than my blokes family but seeing them later on and have already had a xmas meal with my mum and dad before they go away but having one when they come back too

[redcrx]

Im cooking xmas dinner for 4get lol. so thats my bit done :)

then Im going to allow my mother in law to put us up for a week :)

[CAJ1]

Gold star for redcrx!

[Mamyalynne]

As I am recently bereaved I thought the family might want to do something different but no they want to continue with all the family traditions as if my husband (their dad and grandad) would have wished. Start to build your christmas traditions now so that each year whether he is there or not you can cling to them.
Please tell him too we are proud of what he does and wish him safe out there.
Treasure what you have.
Mamyax

[CAJ1]

Sorry for your bereavement mamya, I'm sure it will be very hard to carry on as if nothing has happened. I'm glad you have happy memories to look back on.
This is our third christmas together and each year seems to be better than the last. I will be sure to pass the message on.
Wishing you and yours all the best for christmas, I hope you find the strength to get through. I'm sure he will be with you in spririt xx

[CAJ1]

Thats nice vibrasphere, I'm sure your little girl will have happy memories when she's older and thinks back.

[jenniprice]

its christmas day all is secure

twas 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
and to see just who in this home did live

i looked all about a strange sight i did see
no tinsel no presents not even a tree
no stocking by the mantle just boots filled with sand
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands
with medals and badges awards of all kinds
a sober thought came through my mind

for this house was different it was dark and dreary
i found the home of a soldier once i could see clearly
the soldier lay sleeping silent alone
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home

the face was so gentle the room in such disorder
not how i pictured a lone british soldier
was this the hero of whom i'd just read
curled up on a poncho the floor for a bed

i realised the families that i saw this night
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight
soon around the world the children would play
and grownups would celebrate a bright christmas day

they all enjoy freedom each month of the year
because of the soldiers like the one lying here
i couldn't help wonder how many alone
on a cold christmas eve in a land far from home

the very thought brought a tear to my eye
i dropped to my knees and started to cry
the soldier awakened and i heard a 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
i couldn't control it i continued to weep

i kept watch for hours so silent and still
and we both sat and shivered from the cold

[jenniprice]

then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure
whispered 'carry on santa its christmas day all is secure'
one look at my watch and i knew he was right
'merry christmas my friend and to all a good night'

this poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas

[Mamyalynne]

How very moving am all misty eyed yet again