Dear Santa,
There are some of my friends missing from this year’s Advent Calendar. One of them is Maggie, who lived, held in love, from puppyhood to a wonderful old age.
Two years ago, she sent me a poem. It is a reminder that not all homes will celebrate this time of year as a time of plenty. Many have lost loved ones, both two legged and four. There will be empty chairs… and hearts that miss those they love. This year, especially, has beena year filled with worry and lots of homes will have less than they planned, as their livelihoods are threatened or taken by the virus.
Me and Maggie have always been well looked after. Not all dogs are so lucky… and not all two legses either. Mine remembers Christmasses when her pups were little and there was nothing with which to make a Christmas, so she made things for them instead. They were too little to realise, so they were happy enough. And then some kind people from a charity brought proper toys and food on Christmas Eve. She says she cried a lot that Christmas. Not all of them unhappy tears.She still puts the old matchboxes she wrapped as decorations on the tree … just as a reminder that things are not quite so hard now, and to remind her that Christmas is not about what you can spend, but about the love you can share.
Much love,
Ani xxx
A Christmas Poem from Maggie
from Christmas 2018
Images dancing around the tree,
Soft lights and tinsel for all to see,
Faces aglow by candlelight
Everyone happy, merry and bright.
Not all is so overwhelming or grand,
For some, too young to understand
Reasons why Santa does not come
To their house when the ‘Eve is done.
Empty tables, no tree to share,
A present perhaps, wrapped with loving care,
Nothing much, but a gift just the same
With ribbon and bow, and a tag with their name.
In houses stretched across land and sea,
Images differ from tree to tree,
The future for some is not happy and bright,
Yet their faces glow in the candlelight.
It’s Christmas, and my wish to all of you
Is happiness and love when this Day is through:
Not all are surrounded by festive cheer,
But are in the hearts of those held most dear.
About Maggie’s Mum
Maggie shares her home with Di and her husband. Di describes herself as a retired number-cruncher, but there is far more to her than that. Di blogs at pensitivity101 and was one of our writephoto regulars. She was the first to come over and introduce herself with a guest post. You can read her story in her own words here.
Hi Ani, we miss Maggie too she was a lovely soul, Di and hubby will miss her this Christmas as we will too. Love Ruby 💜
Lovely poem Di 💜💜
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Aw Maggie… sniff. Lovely poem
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We must hang on to and celebrate what we do have this Christmas, this is more important than ever…
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Thank you for sharing Maggie’s poem x
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you, Chris xx
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My pleasure, Sue 🤗❤️🤗
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Beautifully heart wrenching . . .
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Ani, you and your two-legged have BIG hearts. Lovely poem. I would like to remind people to donate to their local food banks, because so many people are out of work and need food. And I also like Samaritan’s Purse which takes care of children in third world countries.
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There are an awful lot of people in need this year.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
A wonderful entry in Ani’s Advent Calendar with a poignant reminder that even in a year when there is not virus or lockdown, Christmas is a time when those we have lost are particularly missed, and parents struggle to provide all that they would wish to. Also Ani shares a lovely poem from Maggie and Di and it is well worth heading over to read the post and to share…Thanks Sally.
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Even after all this time I cook chipolata sausages on Christmas day… we enjoy them but I know a certain someone who loved them. Just a small reminder of 11 wonderful celebrations. A lovely poem and thanks Ani for the heartfelt introduction.. ♥
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Yes, extra sausages and bacon… (even though they shouldn’t) it has to be done. ❤
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♥
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Beautiful reminder that Christmas memories live on in our hearts and remind us that giving of ourselves even in some small way makes the world a brighter place for those around us. A lovely share… Merry Christmas to all! 🎄💞
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Merry Christmas, Bette ❤
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Oh Ani, bless you. Thank you so much for sharing this again. Maggie is so sadly missed, but will never be forgotten. The canvas picture is up together with that of Kizzy, the GSD I had when Hubby and I first met, and Barney, Maggie’s predecessor.
We were so lucky to have her in our lives for so long. She’s in good company, not just on the wall, but in our hearts.
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We know… the pictures are a beautiful idea and look lovely together. But we couldn’t lave Maggie out this Christmas. xx
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Made me a bit tearful to be honest, but in a warm and fuzzy way. God, I miss her.
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I cried just setting the post up…. I can’t imagine life without my Ani. xx
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❤ ❤ ❤ I know…… xxx
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Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
So kind and thoughtful.
Maggie was loved by so many, especially here in WP.
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She was indeed xx
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Such a lovely poem from dear Maggie. Some of the best Christmases were the ones when we didn’t have much. xo
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Same here, Darlene ❤
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A lovely and touching reminder from Ani, and a beautiful poem from Maggie. Full hearts over here. ❤
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And here ❤
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A lovely tribute for your friend Maggie, Ani. ❤
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The least we could do ❤
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A Christmas poem for the ages – and really for every day. Love those we’re with, and send silent hugs to those who are gone but not forgotten. Thanks for sharing. ❤
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A small tribiute to love. ❤
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This was very sweet…
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Maggie was a much-loved lady.
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Judging from her poem, Maggie must have had a good heart.
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She was a beautiful soul and much loved.
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