It's coming to that time of year again
When familiar sights, sounds and smells seep into the memory and the mind
Putting up the tree
Decorating
Scents of pine
Pies and cookies baking
Cards and letters being
When holiday lights and decorations appear
And holiday tunes are playing
Shoppers  crowding the streets, looking for the perfect gift
People take on the holiday hustle and bustle
Light snowflakes dance through the air to their own rhythm

Holiday memories make everything special

Wind chimes rattling in the wind,
playing their own kind of tune
Clattering sounds of them hitting
against the metal grate
as the wind whips through them

Trees bending in the wind, void of their foliage and green moving
to their own kind of rhythm
Snow lightly falling and blowing around like cotton candy strands
before gently nesting on the ground or other surfaces
It is the coming of winter and the start of the a new cycle in the
weather for the year
Cold easing its way into homes, bodies and open spaces replacing
the warm heat of the summer with a new found friend
Temperatures dropping outside bringing a frigid feel to
the day and evening
Nighttime chills and darkness befall the city as it gets ready to put
its nightcap on for the sleep that is slowly coming

Don’t worry
You won’t see me
You won’t hear me
I am gone like the wind
Quietly quickly
Just a quiet wisp
I am part of the sky
I have spread my arms
Like a bird
To soar
Upward
Undetectable
A slight vapor remains
Perhaps a light mist
As if I never existed
I will be gone
Just gone

While sitting in a church
the other day
I strongly felt your presence
It’s been nine years since you left

As I sat there quietly
In the stillness and calm of it all
I felt you sitting next to me
Answering my questions
As if we were talking like before

I told you I’ve made mistakes
You said we all have
It’s part of being human
I told you I should have done more
You said I did just fine
Don’t worry
Everything is fine

I told you thank you
You said for what
I said for what I was taught
What you gave me
Your legacy
You smiled
I told you I wanted you to
be proud of me
You said you always were

I told you there is an empty space in my heart
You said you were sorry for the pain
I miss you

It’s the holidays again
Your favorite time
I asked if you remembered
You said you did

I miss you
Every day of every month
I always will

Do you feel me in your heart
Am I in your spirit
Does the thought of me make you tremble
Am I truly a part of you

Do you feel me in your heart
Am I in your spirit
Do you think of me
Am I missed when gone

Do you feel me in your heart
Does my name mean something
Will you remember me
Do you crave to see me
Do you need me

Do you feel me in your heart
Am I part of your life
Do I live in your mind

Do you feel me in your heart

At a time of negativity
Be positive
Be thankful
For loved ones, family and friends
For your experiences
For the life you have

At a time of great strife
Be thankful
For the many blessings that have graced you

At a time of darkness
Reach for the light
Let it lift you
Let it inspire you
Let it help you lift others
Be thankful

At a time of difficulty
Reach for the easy
Believe
Achieve
Inspire
Be thankful

Look around you
See what there’s to see
Experience life to the fullest
Enjoy every day
Treasure each moment
Give love
Instead of hate
Offer kindness
Instead of cruelty
Make someone smile
Fill your heart with joy
Pass it on to another
Be thankful

You are magic
A magician
Like Merlin
Years ago you cast a spell
It still remains

A real magician
Everything you touch has wonder
Your smile is bright like sunshine
Your laughter is generous
You make the world better

Your walk is melodic
Your eyes are kind twinkling with mischief
You enchant anyone you meet
Children adore you

Everything you do is magical
Everything you touch is golden
You seem to almost float
Your spirit is light
You are magic
In every way
There is no doubt you
cast a spell on me