badbobby Loc: texas

the embers glowed softlyand in their dim light
I gazed round the room and cherished the sight
my wife was asleep her her head on my chest
my daughter beside me angelic in rest
outside the snow fell a blanket of white
t***sforming the yard to a winter delight

the sparkling lights in the tree i believe
completed the magic that was Christmas eve
my eyelids were heavy my breathing deep
secure and surrounded by love i would sleep
in perfect contentment or so it would seem
so slumbered I perhaps to dream

the sound wasnt loud and wasnt too near
but I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear
perhaps just a cough I didnt quite know
then sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow
my soul gave a tremble i struggled to hear
and I crept to the door to see who was here

standing in the cold and the dark of night
a lone figure stood his face weary and tight
a soldier some twenty years old
a trooper huddled there in the cold
alone in the dark he looked up and smiled
standing watch over me my wife and child

"what are you doing"?I asked without fear
"come in this instant it's freezing out here
put down your pack brush the snow from your sleeve
you should be home on this cold Christmas eve'
for barely a moment I saw his eyes shift
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts
to the window that danced with a fires light
then he sighed and said"it's alright
I'm out here by choice I'm here every night"

it's my duty to stand in front of the line
that separates you from the darkest of time
no one has to ask or beg or implore me
I'm proud to stand here like my father before me
my grandfather died in Europe on a day in December
thats a Christmas ny grandmother remembers
I've not seen my son in more than a while
but my wife sends picture he sure has her smile

then he bent and carefully pulled from his bag
the stars and stripes the American f**g
I can live through the cold and being alone
away from my family my house and my home
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet
I can sleep in a fox hole with little to eat
I can carry the weight of k*****g another
or lay down my life for my sister or brother
who stand at the front against any and all
to ensure that our f**g will never fall

"so go back inside "he said"harbor no fright"
your family is waiting and I'll be alright"
"but isnt ther something I can do at he least
give you money or prepare you a feast"
it seems so little for all you have done
being away from your wife and son
his eyes welled in tears but he had no regret
"just tell us you love us and never forget

to fight for our rights at home while we are gone
to stand your own watch no matter how long
for when we come home whether standing or dead
to know you remember how we fought and we bled
is payment enough and with that we trust
that we matter to you as you matter to us

"Dear God,bless our service men and women and keep them safe"
and merry Christmas to all
especially
Slat,Poppa,Linda,Auntie and all my friends and enemies
good night

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Very nice BB. But God and me noticed you did not mention me by name? I am OK with it, but God is royally pissed. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Thank you bobby. Our lives have been enriched by knowing you. And a

Very Merry Christmas

to you and yours.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

BB, you remain my favorite Sailor. Salty and I will have to discuss your entry as an honorary Marine. :mrgreen: I know...but, you can thank me later...if we let you in our elite club. :wink:

MERRY CHRISTMAS, dear friend. :thumbup:

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

May God be with you and keep you always. You are in our prayers my good man.
NPP and SWMBO wish you a blessed Christmas

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Did you overlook his 'good night' at the end :?: He probably misspelled 'knight' no doubt, in referring to you. :mrgreen:

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Bobby, my dear friend...

So special you are and so wonderful you make us all feel..
I have missed and worried about you..So very glad to see you here...

Your post as beautiful as you, may you always be just the way you are!!!!!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours..May God watch over and keep you always...

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Thanks slat. I feel much better now. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Armageddun Loc: The show me state

Merry Christmas Buddy

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

I am concerned about the title of this thread by badbobby.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

I was coming in to ask about that as well...
It has bothered me since he titled it that way...'

Does anyone know if he is alright, health wise??

I really am concerned about him.....

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Neither I nor Salty have gotten returns on our PMs to BB. I am not comfortable with his absence, especially due to the title of this thread. :| It may be administration suspending him, but for what reason :?: He is as decent as anyone on OPP.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Yes, and that is quite an accolade from a Marine for a Swabbie.

I do hope all is well with him. I sorta' miss the old codger with his child bride. :mrgreen: :XD: :lol: :thumbup:

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Yep, me too. He hasn't been responding to me either. We need to be praying for him. I'm serious.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

Why would he be suspended? That man is the kindest person to everyone..I have never seen him be anything but kind, gracious, funny and a gentlemen..If he got suspended, I would gladly ask Admin to reverse that suspension..Although if suspended then he would not have been able to post this thread???

I truly miss him, his humor and his love...

I just hope he is not ill.....Or his wife ill????