Too often this time of year, it is habit and standard to think of those closest to our hearts, those we love and cherish and hold above all others. We think of those presents we wish to give them, the smiles on their faces. We think of the cheer on their faces and let it become the holiday, and that is beautiful, and good.
But in that process, we often forget the others – those people that do not have the luxury of that cheer. This is not a wholesale judgment of others, for I recognize the tendency in myself as well – it is only natural, but we must force ourselves to face reality, to turn our minds and our hearts beyond our own.
To that note, for this Christmas Eve I grant a more solemn contribution to the season, the reality of the above:
Carolers sing out,
cheer static smothers cardboard
hides the ringing cups.
This season, just remember, as you are opening gifts and trading smiles with those you care about, that there are others, much less fortunate than we, who will not experience that joy. There are those with naught but memories of these things, and some that have never gotten to experience that holiday joy…please, keep them in your thoughts as well.
The Waking Den 
Lovely!
Beautiful post, chris– thanks for stopping by— i’ll be back….xxxj
Beautifully said, Chris.
~ C
So true.
It was very much like that for us staff where i work.
In the catering and hospitality industry christmas is something we all have to work through.
You try not to think too much about those that are a home with their family or drinking with their friends.
But that is still no reason for us to get too down.
We found plenty of smiles by making our colleges our family (in a sense) for those few days
This is so true and wise and kind. And I do sympathize with Richard about anyone in retail, health care, police … all those folks that keep things going for the rest of us, but can’t be home to enjoy with their own families.
Blessings …