The Christmas Village

We were a new young family
Deciding which collectibles to buy.
Dickens’ Village was our first choice,
A choice that made our small children cry.
For them Christmas was mostly about Santa,
His reindeer and all the elves.
Not an old English village to be
Displayed on our living room shelves.
A purchase of two that season,
And we were happily on our way.
Christmas Village buildings were being
Brought home with us to forever stay.

Another family, holiday tradition
We had now excitedly begun.
Our children selecting a new collectible
Each year, added to the fun.
The list of soon to be retired pieces
Became a must to view.
Each season our Christmas Village continued
To grow, by a building or two.
Soon the peaceful settings we created became
Something special to behold.
When illuminated, our snow covered scenes
Looked almost real we were told.

Evenings after dinner, when the lights to the
Village had been turned on,
Grandma and our children quietly enjoyed
The winter scenes they gazed upon.
Her childhood memories recalled, seemed to them
Like she once lived there too.
Was she sharing wonders of the Christmas Village,
Of Santa, his elves, with you?
One evening after the children were in bed
And soon asleep for the night,
Grandma composed a little rhyming verse for
Each collectible in sight.

Each year before a new building was first lit,
Her newest creative verse was proudly read.
The words she shared became treasured memories,
As the children were ushered off to bed.
Grandma and Grandpa are unable to join us,
Holiday moments we wish all could still share.
We know they are together, sending us their love, 
As Grandma enjoys writing rhyming verses there.
We miss them both dearly, wishing their presence
Remained with us this special time of year.
For many seasons we set up no display,
Grandma’s creative rhymes I longed to hear.

One winter day, surprised was I, when returning
From an afternoon out in the cold.
My children had gone down to our storage room
And did something unexpected and bold.
They gathered up each village building, gently
Placing them about the carpet on the floor.
And the two of them, selecting their favorites,
Created a New Village setting as before.
My question to them was a simple one. 
“What has inspired you to do this now?”
“We want you to enjoy Christmas again
And this is the best way we know how.”

Before exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve
The entire family gathers round,
Our Christmas Village collectibles
To enjoy a very special sound,
Of our voices as we read each rhyming verse
Before lighting the buildings on display;
Honoring Grandma’s memory with her words on
The night before a most Blessed Day.
Christmas joy and happiness remains
In our hearts like days not long ago.
Recalling Grandma’s rhyming verses rekindles
Treasured memories, ensuring us it is so.