Home For Christmas

It was ten years ago when I moved away
not sure what I was looking for
if it was to find myself
if it was the love of a man
or if it was just for a change

Within those ten years
I came home at least
once or twice a year
for vacation, weddings, funerals

I missed making so many new memories
with my family and loved ones

I missed the births of
grandbabies, great nieces and nephews
watching them grow and becoming
the amazing little toddlers they are today

Sunday phones calls
ended in silent tears
Other calls made just to hear
voices and say I love you

Then there were the birthday,
the holiday and the congratulations calls
and the ones that said who was
sick or in the hospital

Also during these ten years
I lost the most precious
parts of me that I can
never get back

Holidays were nice but also bitter sweet
remembering those of years past
And I had always promised myself that
one day, I would, once again, be home for Christmas

And even though I enjoyed the change of seasons
of the north with the crisp air and autumn smells
and the love and memories of a different family

I realized that what I was truly missing
was the warmth of the sun of the south
with the smells of the sea air, but mostly,
I missed the love and comfort of my beautiful family
and that there is just no place like home