The Spirit Of Christmas Past, by Ian Fletcher

10/12/2016

My brother and I wake before dawn and creep downstairs.

Our parents sleep soundly.

Opening the living room door we switch on the lights.

There, under the Christmas tree are two piles of presents.

One is labeled ‘Ian’, the other ‘Guy’.

Ah, rarely in life have I experienced such perfect joy since that Christmas Day!

Alas, my parents passed away many years ago.

Yet, this Christmas Eve my wife and I have laid two piles of presents under our own Christmas tree.

One is labeled ‘Seren’, the other ‘Vanessa’.

Our two daughters sleep peacefully, but shall wake earlier than us.

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