The holidays used to be about
Ritual.
/
Thanksgiving was
A grandiose table and
Golden decorations and
Pumpkin pie candles;
Christmas was
The thick smell of a warming fireplace and
A friendly Christmas tree and
Bing Crosby singing over the stereo.
But holidays are different this year.
/
Mom shaved her head last night.
The chemo is a sacrifice,
Pain and loss in return for
What we hope
Will be healing.
She won’t be cooking;
She can’t wrap gifts like she used to.
Some days
All she can do is
Sit on the couch
Let alone decorate the table.
/
But all of this
Hasn’t crushed my
Celebration spirit.
Instead I’ve grown
More thankful than before
That Gratitude
And Love
And Thanksgiving
And Christmas
Are in our hearts,
In the presence of others,
And not simple
Ritual.
Amanda Michelle Brown 