This Year

The holidays are the best time of year
to look back on all the things that made you smile,
remember all the people that made you happy
with just the little things, like a card, or a hug,
or just a story that made you want to remember this time of year, always.

800 miles from the only home that I have ever known,
worlds away from everyone that love and miss the most. 
All I have here are my memories
and just some phone calls, to hold on to.
To keep me smiling at this time of year.

I remember the little things that made me the happiest,
a simple card, or hug, or just a silly story told at dinner,
something to always keep safe in my memory and close to my heart,
this time of year.

We used to drive up to the house in the Poconos,
every year and cut down a Christmas tree.
We stayed up there for a long weekend, decorating and watching 'It's a Wonderful Life', curled up by the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa and watching the deer in our front yard.
We'd go skiing on the snowy mountains,
or sled riding down the hill by our house,
build snowmen out front by the road or make snow angels in the backyard.
My favorite time of year.

These are just some of the wonderful memories
that I keep close to me.
I remember all the people that I loved and lost and miss them most this time of year.
In my heart, we are all together.
Even though the miles and the heavens separate us, we are always together in what we believe.
And I believe that we are all together, happy and enjoying ourselves,
this time of year.