A Christmas Greeting

by

04640007

Toritto at 40 in 1982  I’d forgotten my hair was so BROWN!

.

There is nothing I can give you
which you have not
but there is much I cannot give
which you can take.

Take Joy
Take Peace
Take Life
Take Heart.

All can be dark
yet in the darkness
is Joy, Peace
Life and Heart.

We need only look
to take these for our own;
Touch the Angel’s hand
that brings these gifts to you

So at this time I greet you
with profound esteem and hope
that for you always, the dawn breaks
and the shadows flee away.

.

———————————————

Inspired by a letter of Christmas greetings from Fra Giovanni Giocondo to his friend, the Countess Allegio Aldobrandeschi of Venice on Christmas Eve 1513 – 502 years ago.

I didn’t think the Friar would mind.

I am preparing to play host for Christmas through the weekend so I will be gone from the virtual world for a few days.

Best wishes for Christmas and 2016!

————————————————————-

And from the greatest Christmas concert ever,  done as only New York can do it, two true American Divas; Kathleen Battle, daughter of an Ohio steel worker and Frederica von Stade, one of our Jersey girls at Carnegie Hall – 1992.  Brava!!

About toritto

I was born during year four of the reign of Emperor Tiberius Claudius on the outskirts of the empire in Brooklyn. I married my high school sweetheart, the girl I took to the prom and we were together for forty years until her passing in 2004. We had four kids together and buried two together. I had a successful career in Corporate America (never got rich but made a living) and traveled the world. I am currently retired in the Tampa Bay metro area and live alone. One of my daughters is close by and one within a morning’s drive. They call their pops everyday. I try to write poetry (not very well), and about family. Occasionally I will try a historical piece relating to politics. :-)
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12 Responses to A Christmas Greeting

  1. chicagoguy12 says:

    Frank you look like you were 20 in that picture! Merry Christmas my friend! Roger

    Liked by 2 people

  2. beetleypete says:

    My hair is not grey, Frank. It’s white!
    Thanks for the seasonal greetings, which are returned with thanks and best wishes. Pete

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Mine’s silver (I like to think!). Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with the family, Frank. xx

    Liked by 1 person

  4. JoHanna Massey says:

    May You Have A Happy and Joyous Holiday.
    I have enjoyed your website very much in 2015. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. jmsabbagh says:

    Wonderful Gift to give.Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Norman Pilon says:

    Merry Christmas, Frank, and a good 2016 to you, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. inesephoto says:

    Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for the wonderful music.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Tala Carson says:

    Happy Holidays to you! 🙂
    Wish you true joy and peace!
    All the best to you and your Family!
    Hugs

    Liked by 1 person

  9. dougstuber says:

    Atlanta

    Buckhead offers twelve-dollar sandwiches,
    Parents lunching their children on Saturday:
    Straight from Beemer to deli to Emory to evening
    Wedding to Benz to kids at lunch on Peachtree.

    North Peachtree, where you can’t quite see the smog
    Thanks to trees and art and tacky bars. Southern
    Culture on the skids, but not outside this deli, where
    Leaves tumble with Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda cans.

    All I can think of is you: hamburgers and organic
    Bananas, juices, never soda, and a complete
    Satisfaction. Money doesn’t earn these deli-dippers
    The satisfaction you have. Inner peace even.

    You cook after volunteering, after the kids are
    Down for the night. You go there and back then home
    To ride your bike to work. Teach me how to calm
    Myself won’t you? One point at five points:

    There is no chemistry to teach the zen you have.
    Perfect weather makes yellow leaves stand out.
    Small winds coerce more travel. Sharp shadows
    Waver. One beacon lures me home to paint autumn.

    Like

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