In these dark long days I have been thinking of the people I and others have lost as we enter this holiday season. I think of my Aunt Trudy when I hang her home-made Christmas ornaments on my tree.

I think of my grandfather when I search the night sky for Santa and his sleigh and my grandmother who played board games with me on Christmas morning.

I think of my step-mother and her glorious tree.

I think of friends and family who have lost husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends— and my wish for each and everyone of us is that we take care of each other this holiday season.

May we be kind. May we be present. May we help each other as best we can and may we not forget those who have moved into the light of a new existence.

As I have been reflecting this month, I kept thinking about a Facebook post from a woman who lost her husband this past year. She posted a picture of a garland of gingerbread men they had made together last Christmas. Acknowledgement of both her loss and her love for this man.

When I was in my 20’s, I shared a number of Christmas celebrations with this woman and her husband and their extended family. And in that loving family I obtained through marriage, I learned my first grown-up lessons about unconditional love and the importance of celebrating each other and the season.

And as happens with me, a poem began to emerge from these reflections that I am now sharing with you. May you all find peace and love as we enter a new year.

Christmas Without You

As Christ is born
so again are you.

In gingerbread men
cut from bags

that sway with open
and close of door.

In baubles 
on the tree

            or the tree itself

rooted than not
from dirt and place

now lit like a greater
magnitude star—

And who of us can really
say—which is better?

Yours in poetry,

Carey