THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

         THE CHRISTMAS GIFT







It was Christmas time in sixty seven

I was only ten and my brother was nine years

school holidays had already started if I remember clear

waiting for the excitement of Christmas would bring dear



Suddenly grandpa got sick and warded in hospital

my parents were busy with visiting him

he had promised me something very much dear to me

I had waited and waited looking through the window for him



Christmas came near and my hopes died away

there was no Christmas tree, no decorations to make

no polished floors, no cakes and wine

because of grandpa everything stood still



With hushed silence as the darkness fell

everyone was readying to go to mass that day

I was still looking at grandpa’s room

to find out if he would bring my Christmas gift



Christmas day came and I woke up at seven

there was a vehicle and  everyone rushed there

then came grandpa with a slight limp

everything was gone but not his smiling face



He limped directly to me with a wrapped parcel

“Happy Christmas, my boy” was his cheerful words

I took the gift and ran to my room

with one stroke  of hand I undid the parcel soon



There was this beautiful CRIB of seven pieces

colorful angels, Mary and Joseph with smiling Jesus

my grandpa died way before the next Christmas

We will never forget how he brought us happiness that Christmas.