As a lot of you know my hubbie is in the army and serving out in Afghanistan at the moment. Unfortunately he wont be home for christmas. I had this poem sent to me by another army wife by email. I hope you dont mind it not being "doggie" but I would like to share it with you.

ITS CHRISTMAS DAY - 'ALL IS SECURE'.

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE
NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS NOT EVEN A TREE
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES AWARDS OF ALL KINDS
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT IT WAS DARK AND DREARY
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING SILENT ALONE
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY ALONE
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

THE VERY THOUGH BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE
'SANTA DON'T CRY THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM I DON'T ASK FOR MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY. MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO WEEP

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA ITS CHRISTMAS DAY - ALL IS SECURE'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT'

Oh Karen, that is so poignant. brought tears to my eyes. I think about Simon out there every time I read the paper.
We have a friend (ex SAS) who goes to dangerous places as a bodyguard for VIP's and he is also on our mind a lot.

Strange - a friend sent me that today too. It is a lovely poem and makes you think

What can I say.... thoughts are with you

ROLL ON JANUARY!!!

ill second that hun,. xxxxx

As always, like Jackie said, I think of you n Simon everytime I see something in the papers.

My thoughts are with you Karenxxx

thanks for sharing that, its lovely.

Thanks for sharing that Karen, Simon is always in our thoughts

I hope you don't mind, but I was so moved by this, that I've included it in the Christmas edition of a magazine that I edit (the person who proof reads the magazine said she cried when she read it).

Hx

Oh Helena I dont mind a bit, thank you. Can I be cheeky.........is there anychance you could send me a copy of the magazine so I can show it to Simon when he comes home?

And also thank you to everyone else. I really dont know what I would do without you, I dont "know" any of you really, except the odd one or two I have met, but you all give me a lot of strength and support

No Problem - it's only a local thing (about 700 readership), send me your address and I'll pop it in the post (can also email you a PDF)

Hx