I still recall the christmas when I lost my boyhood years.
It was a time of growing up, and fighting back the tears.
I was not home that christmas day to see what santa brought,
but a red cross bag hung from a wire above my metal cot.

Inside the bag were little things that showed that some still cared...
a soap dish and a tooth brush, and a comb to fix my hair.
A deck of cards for poker, and a book to read alone.
A short note from a little girl that wished we all were home.

So much time has passed since then; so many holidays...
To think I've lived this long and I still I think about the days
when we were our own family, and with each other shared,
and prayed to make it back again to be with those who cared.

John Fox 12/16/99