Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

strong rhymes throughout
soulful expression of emotion
tomorrow's future - a moving passage
tiptoed through our history - another strong passage
I will keep your daughter-in-law and her mom in my prayers
Brooke :-)

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks, Brooke. appreciate it.

Comment from Maureen's Pen

Excellent

Dear Dallas - when those moments come they take so much out of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. This shares those times when struggles seem to take away the joy for a short while....well penned.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

I'm very sorry to hear of your daughter-in-law's mother's health issues, DALLAS. It's a drastically difficult thing to deal with at any time of the year, much less during the Christmas holidays. I know Hospice was the last stop for my dear mother-in-law, and she never saw home again. I'll pray that her stay is not nearly as lengthy.

God bless, and Merry Christmas to you and your family.~

Dean

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks, Dean. Life doesn't have a lot of respect for the calendar. Looks like Kim and my son will make it for. Christmas dinner.
I brought my 17 year old grandson over for a stay over last weekend. Think it helped getting him out of the sadness for just a while. Thanks for the prayers.

reply by Dean Kuch on 23-Dec-2014

Anytime, Dallas.

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

The needle is stuck and the record sticks. Christmas is not always a joyous time, memories of good times tinged blue when a relative, especially a parent, is ill. You captured what they are going through , especially in the last stanza. My thoughts are with your daughter-in-law and her family. Merry Christmas.

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks for your thoughtful review and well wishes.

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Merry Christmas is not always Merry . I am so sorry for your daughter in

law..there are no words....I wish for you love and hugs

God bless you all

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks for your thoughtful wishes.

Comment from Writingfundimension

Excellent

I'm sorry to read of the story behind this poem, Dallas. It echoes well the sense of sadness and loss that your family members are experiencing, as well as many others around the world. The realities of life don't stop for holidays.

Good luck with this excellent contest entry.

:) Bev

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks, Bev. Exactly, life goes on regardless of the dates on the calendar.

reply by Writingfundimension on 23-Dec-2014

You're welcome, Dallas.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Christmas is especially hard on those who are suffering a loss. Blessings and prayers to your extended family. 'Tis better to remember the laughter of the past that try to recreate it an inappropriate time.
Hugs,
Shari

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. Life goes on. It just seems like the world should stand still, if only for a moment.

Comment from Leineco

Excellent

It's hard, sometimes, to remember, that all the trials and tribulations
life can deal out, don't stop when Christmas comes. Those who are blessed
with the joyful blessings of Christmas, never know what next Christmas
might bring. I'm sorry for your family's heartbreak. I hope you can all
find some solace in past Christmases joys and all hold each other close
through this trial.

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks for your thoughtful comments and wishes. It always seems like the world should stand still, if only for a moment, when life seems so bleak.

Comment from seaglass

Excellent

This is a beautiful, tender and comforting poem. It truly is loving memories that support us through rough times. May you all have a blessed holiday season and feel the love of one another.

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Comment from donaldcolson

Excellent

Good poetry and it pleases me that you are puncturing some of the gaseous usual stuff about Xmas. In contrast to the usual sap, the season is a cause for much depression. don

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2014

thanks for reading and reviewing.