Thanks she is. This was an accidental capture. The boys and my mom where getting ready for a picture when they both spontaneously kissed her. It was a very touching moment and I am glad I caught it with my camera.
This is an extremely touching picture. Lets all hope and fight for peace
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. I do hope and pray for peace everyday. :-)
– Christine King
merlin67over 3 years ago
To me this sums up the ultimate selflessness of motherhood. To let the most precious things in your life go to war. Take another picture please when they return .
Hello Merlin! Thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you, sending the boys off to war was one of the most difficult things for me to experience as their older sister. But it was even worse for both of my parents. Many nights my mother would cry herself to sleep or cry at the dinner table. My dad, had lots of sleepless nights. It was a Very tough time in our lives. The boys…I should call them Men but can’t seem to bring myself to LOL, have both returned safely, thank God, but their time states side is almost up. They both are due to return overseas to the Middle East in January. Sorry. I really did just want to say thank you for the comment. I didn’t mean to go on about how difficult it was and is being a military family. ~Christine :-)
– Christine King
LeePhotographyover 3 years ago
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind A sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, so dark and dreary, I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door. And there he lay sleeping silent alone, Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such order, Not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan, I soon understood this was more than a man. For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon ’round the world, the children would play, And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, my life is my God, my country, my Corps.”
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I watched him for hours, so silent and still, I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head. And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black, With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride, And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside. I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night, This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.” One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!
Lee, thank you so much for adding this poem to the photo. I read this poem when my brother, Adam was sent to Afganistan just after this picture was taken, it brought tears to my eyes then and it brings tears to my eyes now. Thank you again for sharing this poem with me. It goes perfectly with the photo. :-) Happy Holidays. Christine :-)
SO touching. God bless them both. And great capture on your part!
Olivia, Thank you so much for your comment. I, too, think I was so lucky to capture this photo. It’s one of my favorites. :-) It speaks of the sacrifice that we all make for our freedoms.
Thank you for your comment, Karen. I agree with you, this photo does say a lot. I was lucky to capture it.
– Christine King
Stzarover 3 years ago
What a precious portrait of your mother and brothers !! God bless them and keep them safe. Beautiful image !!
Thank you, Karon, for your comment. I, too, hope that God blesses them and keeps them safe, as well as all the other soldiers leaving their families to fight for freedom. I just wish that they’d all come home safely to their loved ones.
Comments
Proud Mum….nice capture.
Thanks she is. This was an accidental capture. The boys and my mom where getting ready for a picture when they both spontaneously kissed her. It was a very touching moment and I am glad I caught it with my camera.
– Christine King
This is an extremely touching picture. Lets all hope and fight for peace
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. I do hope and pray for peace everyday. :-)
– Christine King
To me this sums up the ultimate selflessness of motherhood. To let the most precious things in your life go to war. Take another picture please when they return .
Hello Merlin! Thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you, sending the boys off to war was one of the most difficult things for me to experience as their older sister. But it was even worse for both of my parents. Many nights my mother would cry herself to sleep or cry at the dinner table. My dad, had lots of sleepless nights. It was a Very tough time in our lives. The boys…I should call them Men but can’t seem to bring myself to LOL, have both returned safely, thank God, but their time states side is almost up. They both are due to return overseas to the Middle East in January. Sorry. I really did just want to say thank you for the comment. I didn’t mean to go on about how difficult it was and is being a military family. ~Christine :-)
– Christine King
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such order,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon ’round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps.”
With that he rolled over and drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn’t want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice so clean and pure,
“Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!
Lee, thank you so much for adding this poem to the photo. I read this poem when my brother, Adam was sent to Afganistan just after this picture was taken, it brought tears to my eyes then and it brings tears to my eyes now. Thank you again for sharing this poem with me. It goes perfectly with the photo. :-) Happy Holidays. Christine :-)
– Christine King
SO touching. God bless them both. And great capture on your part!
Olivia,
Thank you so much for your comment. I, too, think I was so lucky to capture this photo. It’s one of my favorites. :-) It speaks of the sacrifice that we all make for our freedoms.
– Christine King
This photo says a lot :-)
Thank you for your comment, Karen. I agree with you, this photo does say a lot. I was lucky to capture it.
– Christine King
What a precious portrait of your mother and brothers !!
God bless them and keep them safe.
Beautiful image !!
Thank you, Karon, for your comment. I, too, hope that God blesses them and keeps them safe, as well as all the other soldiers leaving their families to fight for freedom. I just wish that they’d all come home safely to their loved ones.
– Christine King
Beautiful!