Christmas thoughts

[Albert Richards]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU

I have a list of folks I know,
 All written in a book,
And every year at Christmas time,
 I go and take a look.
And then is when I realize
 That these names are a part,
Not of the book they're written in,
 But of my very heart.
For each name stands for someone
 Who has crossed my path sometime,
And in that meeting they've become
 The "rhythm and the rhyme",
And while it sounds fantastic
 For me to make this claim,
I really feel that I'm composed
 Of each and every name
And while you may not be aware
 Of any special link,
Just meeting you has shaped my life
 Much more than you can think.
For once I've met somebody.
 The years cannot erase,
The memory of a pleasant work
 Or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards
 Are just a mere routine
Of name upon a Christmas list,
 Forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card
 That is addressed to you,
It's because you're on that list of folks
 That I'm indebted to.
For I am but a total
 Of the many folks I've met,
And every year when Christmas comes
 I realize anew
The very best gift that life can give
 Is knowing folks like you.
So may the spirit of Christmas
 That forevermore endures
Leave its richest blessing
 In the hearts of you and yours.
         --Author unknown