Sky Rider

 I feel the wind rush across my face in this early morning vastness. It’s hand biting. The sky is as black as it will be for this night, its own face, dark as coal as the stars poke through the heavens to the earth below. The only light that lingers to guide my way will soon vanish beneath the horizon, Sol’s lesser brother succumbing to dawn’s eruption.

I am tired, my night’s work finished. My hands ache as I hold tight the leather reins that guide my steeds. Would these old mittens give way, my flesh would be ripped from the bone and I would not possess the strength to control their swiftness, for their power is like nothing that walks this world.

 With each passing year the weariness creeps further into my bones at night’s end, but it does not dilute my spirit, for there is nothing like the spirit of Christmas. It is whole, and pure, and all that is good with the world. It lifts my soul and enlivens my very being. Would I not ride the heavens each year, I would surely pass into oblivion.

The blackness that was the night is now not so dark. It is a mottled gray that hangs beneath the stars as their light begins to fade. I see the spires of yellow and orange that begin to peak above the rim of the world. Dawn is upon me and I must complete my journey before the magic begins to fade. With one snap of the heavy reigns my steeds become swifter than the lightning that blazes across a summer’s sky...

On Dasher on Dancer on Prancer and Vixen, on Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen....

To the top of the world with great haste do I call, Dash away, dash away, dash away all.

Merry Christmas to one and all, and may peace be within your heart.

My B-I-L

 Yesterday was a sad day for My Beloved as we laid to rest her brother Tom. It was unexpected. I am not sure actually which is worse, the unexpected death of a family member or one you know is coming. Either way, it is hard.

Tom, or Tommy as many knew him was the third of five. I had always called him Tom. "Tommy" just never rang true to me. I know that feeling having lost the same member of my clan, North of 50 nearly ten years ago.

When I joined this family thirty years ago, he was the first to shake my hand and welcome me aboard. He also told me I had better treat his little sister right or I would have to answer to him. I never forgot those words.

He was a man of many talents in including being a chef in the kitchen and an eye through the camera. He loved his cameras.

In this day and age, men are often judged by how much money they make, what kind of job they have, the car they drive and the house they live in. I have come to know through my years that this is the poorest way to judge a man or any person. You judge a man by his heart, his character, his kindness toward others and how he treats and loves his family. I rarely heard a cross word from him regarding others. In this respect, Tom was one of the richest men I knew. He took care of his own sacrificing his own interests for those he loved. I think in that way, he and North of 50 were kindred spirits.

Life is short and moves quickly the older we get. Time really does fly and at some point all we really do have are the memories.

Tom, you are a good man with a heart of gold and you will be missed my many. Say hello to Grandma for us. I know it is a hug you have wished for for some time.