OpenLinkNight #256
December Memories
~
yule log crackling
full hearts brimming
drawn close this night
ribbons
on bright papers
gifts bestowed
one at a time
round and round
the kindred circle
celebrating
unveiled affections
joy
love
and cheerful laughter
precious times with family
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2018
Go here to dVerse to get cheered up:
Quadrille #70: Poems of Good Cheer
“This is the sad year I bow out as Santa”
My wife and I as “singing” Santa and Mrs Clause. We visit several families each year at Christmas as a special surprise for the children. When we visit, I lead the children, and the entire group, singing Christmas Carols. Been doing it for a number of years. BTW, that is my real beard. And Mrs. Clause carries the watering can because she delivers a fun, low-key environmental message for the children. But my declining health may see this year as my last journey as Santa Claus. It has been rewarding beyond measure to see the excitement and love in the eyes of the little ones, especially in their years 2 or 3 until 5 or 6. It’s been such a wonderful gift to have been Santa. I will miss it! ;-(
Nice phrase “unveiled affections” and worth celebrating.
Thank you Frank… 🙂 …yes it is worth celebrating!
Ditto. 🙂
Thanks for commenting silver… 🙂
Beautiful, Rob. The spirit of the season is here.
I LLLOOOOOOOOOOOVE Christmas! I have been playing “singing” Santa for several families, visiting their children every Christmas for a number of years. These are not families in my social circle, so the kids only see me at Christmas. I never break character. It is unbelievably rewarding, especially when they’re 3-5 years old. They !BELIEVE! and the love projected toward Santa, by most of the children, is unbelievable. My heart spills over! 🙂 This is my last year though. The youngest of thr children and I are finally getting too old… ;-(
<3
So sweet!
Thank you Silver… 🙂
Nice, Rob.
Thsnk you VJ… 🙂
cute image
Thank you Sabio!
Those are special memories indeed!
They are wonderful memories! If you are curious Merril. I have posted a photo here on the bottom of this “December Memories” post. It is of my wife and I portraying Santa and Mrs. Clause, as we do each year for the children of “special” families. 🙂
Maintaining good cheer in these times is a testament to faith. Now more than ever hope must be kept alive. To give the joy of pure faith to youngsters is a gift to the world.
Children should feel excitement and joy during this season. They must feel hope and possibility. If you are curious Jade. I have posted a photo here on the bottom of this “December Memories” post. It is of my wife and I portraying Santa and Mrs. Clause, as we do each year for the children of “special” families. 🙂
What a perfectly lovely thing to do Rob. Bravo!
Thank you Linda, we love it… 🙂
Christmas was once like this… these days it’s a more quiet thing.
As my children are grown, my baby is 40 now, the Christmas scene had become more laid back at home. However, now that there is a 5-year-old grandson, and my wife and I now live immediately adjacent to the little guy – Christmas is now magical chaos again in the house! …and I love it!! 🙂
Joyful poem and photo. Makes my heart smile. 🙂
I sm pleased that it does RW, tis the purpose of the poem – and the season Jenna (is that your name)… 🙂
You have made so many happy. May the joy you brought to people come back to you many times more. Merry Christmas.
Thank you so much Imelda! I had missed your gracious comment until just now… I am sorry.
You have spread so much joy. How wonderful! I hope your health improves in 2019, Rob. Lovely to read you!
Joyful for me too Sherry… 🙂 I have been accepted into a specialized cardio conditioning program at my hospital which begins in January. I am hoping this helps me rebound some of my health. Thank you for expressing your encouraging wishes.
Lovely evocation of Christmas – and lovely photo and back story too.
Thank you Rosemary, I am glad you enjoyed this… 🙂
Ho Ho Ho . Fantastic pic of you as as Santa. Those kids are lucky because you really do look like Santa with the real beard and all.
Merry Christmas Rob and best wishes for the New Year to you and yours.
Ho ho ho tight back atcha Rall. I love being Santa. When I ring my big silver bell outside their front door, and they come with mom or dad to see what is happening, then open the door to see me standing there – it is an explosion of magic at the highest level! The surprise, excitement, the squeals of joy, and finally love in the eyes of the children, especially the ones age 3-6, the “true believers”, brings tears to my eyes. I have to ho-ho-ho with all my might so they don’t see the tears. Of all the things I have done in my life, nothing has ever given me the all-consuming PURE JOY of being the in-home singing Santa. What a totally unexpected gift to myself, and what an honor it has been. This is likely the last year my health will allow me this privilege, and it truly breaks my heart. Merry Christmas to you Rall, and to your loved ones – from Santa… 🙂
Such a joyful poem ???? Happy Holidays!
Glad this resonated for you Sanaa, and Happy Holidays to you!
You conjure such a nice tone here Rob for the festive season… Warm and comforting…
Thank you Scott — may this season bring you joy and peace!
What a wonderful way to share your joy with the neighbor… you are a lovely couple…
Thank you Björn — may this season bring you joy and peace!
Such a festive poem, Rob, and it’s so heartening to read about your Santa gigs.
Thank you Kim — may this season bring you joy and peace!
‘‘Tis the spirit of the season. Very warm!
Thank you Vivian! 😉
I missed this one from last year. It is a joy to look back to when you stood on your own. I go nowhere without my rollator these days. It is less than fun when ill health dictates our journey. I think of you often, brother; bless you.
I think of you too dude. I am never again going to do the Santa gig again, my feet back and knees just can’t cut it any longer. And now my lungs are failing me Glenn. And I really miss the spiritual joy it gave me — really missit! Not certain if I will see another Christmas, but I am sure as hell gonna try brother — you try to man, youtry too!
I love the photo. Your lovely wife looks like a fun-loving person. I’m sorry this will be your last year as the singing Mr & Mrs Claus.
It breaks Kathy and my heart Lisa. Kathy is a truly remarkable, talented, creative human being. She is a special gift to the world. It will be devastating to hang up the red hat. To make so much pure unadulterated joy for a child is a gift beyond measure — and I have had the blessed fortune to have experienced that purity in my life!
Such a warm and joyous poem Rob and what a lovely thing to do for the children! Thinking of you and hope all goes well tomorrow.
It was a blessing Xenia — and thank you very much. Positive thoughts are so appreciated!!
I needed a bit of your Christmas joy, Rob. I’ve been in absentia for the past couple of weeks. The beautiful 24-year-old daughter of a dear family friend lost her battle with bipolar disease and committed suicide, a tragic loss that has cast a spell over the holidays for those of us who loved her. The joys you bring to the children as Santa no doubt enriches your life … and your recount of your visits brings joy to your readers as well. God bless, and Merry Christmas!
I am so very very dad for the patents left behind by this tragedy, and for thr child who could not find a way out. I worked for a suicide crisis intervention team.for every websaved we lost two — and it was devastating deyond comprehension. When it went good it was glorious, but when it went bad and you watched someone jump to end it all — it was heartbreaking horror!
But I-loved being Santa Beverly, and joy, and belief to the youngsters that so much want something to believe in — I was so blessed!!
Lovely photo – this speaks of kindness and goodness of the holiday spirit. Wishing you a good week and the best of the holidays.
I love Christmas! It was my escape as a child with an adoptive dad who loved and protected me. He was a bonafide HERO!
a jovial December song, this is!
Thank you Rosemarie! 🙂
A kindred spirit in story and poem, wow, what a gift to your community Rob.
Thank you Paul.
A true Christmas post! Have a good one, Rob!
Thank you Jim.
This is so beautiful!
Thank you Sanaa
I like how you and your wife were a singing Santa team. May your health improve so you can continue doing this.
Thank you Frank, I appreciate the well wishes.
What a wonderful gift of joy! I hope you are wrong about it being the last year of singing the season to others.
Thank you Kerfe. I hope you are right.
You truly possess the Christmas Spirit as you brought joy to so many. My heart warms when I read stories like yours. My heart also breaks when I read that the journey has taken a different turn with your health issues. May the joy you have given to others be returned to you 10 fold.
Peace and light always…
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much True, and Merry Christmas to you!