Christmas Night of '62 The Wintry blast goes wailing by,   The snow is falling overhead;   I hear the lonely sentry's tread, And distant watch-fires light the sky. Dim forms go flitting through the gloom;   The soldiers cluster round the blaze   To talk of other Christmas days, And softly speak of home and home. My thoughts go wandering to and fro,   Vibrating 'twixt the Now and Then;   I see the low-browed home again, The old hall wreathed with mistletoe. And sweetly from the far-off years   Comes borne the laughter faint and low,   The voices of the Long Ago! My eyes are wet with tender tears. I feel again the mother-kiss,   I see again the glad surprise   That lightened up the tranquil eyes And brimmed them o'er with tears of bliss, As, rushing from the old hall-door,   She fondly clasped her wayward boy--   Her face all radiant with the joy She felt to see him home once more. My sabre swinging on the bough   Gleams in the watch-fire's fitful glow,   While fiercely drives the blinding snow Aslant upon my saddened brow. There's not a comrade here to-night   But knows that loved ones far away   On bended knees this night will pray: "God bring our darling from the fight." -William Gordon McCabe, In the Army of Northern Virginia, 1862

Something a little different from me for this holiday, dedicated to all those who can not be home with their loved ones this season and to all those at home missing them dearly. To everyone, wherever these days find you, may some brightness and joy reach your heart no matter what winds may be blowing around you in these strange times! Merry Christmas .. to the child within all our hearts!! Terry