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The Worst and Best Christmas Ever

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It was December Christmas eve, and it was snowing outside Kids were making snowmen and some boys had made a slide Our eight year old daughter Suzie went out to play with her friend Jill My wife said" Wrap up well Suzie , you don't want to catch a chill" I brought in all the decorations, they were scattered about the floor I'd just put up the tree when there was hammering at our front door I looked at my wife Jane then ran to the front to see who was there It was Lisa our next door neighbour and I noticed blood on her hair. She was crying and said "John there's been a terrible accident" I was taken aback from what she said; didn't know what she meant "It's your Suzie " she said "A car braked, and lost control in the snow I grabbed my coat and asked her " How bad"? she said "I don't know" Jane and I rushed out the house, the police and an ambulance were there A crowd had now gathered around and there was blue lights everywhere Suzie was lying still and unconscious, and she was looking quite blue They put her on a stretcher and into the ambulance, and we went too. The sirens were deafening as they drove quickly to the hospital I felt so helpless seeing her injured but I knew it was critical A doctor and two nurses were waiting there when we arrived They got her out of the ambulance and then rushed her inside. A nurse took us to a waiting room and our tears started to flow She said "When Suzie has been assessed we will let you know" An hour later a doctor came by and said "Suzie's injuries are severe We'll do more tests and x-rays just so on everything we're clear" We were both so tired and shocked everything was surreal I couldn't believe what was happening, it just didn't seem real I prayed that Suzie would pull through, and that she'd be all right We drifted in and out of sleep all through Christmas Eve night. About seven o'clock next day a surgeon, came by to give us an update He told us she had concussion and in her skull we put a metal plate "Can we see her" I asked, "Yes" he said," A nurse will come and get you" A nurse came in ten minutes later to take us to children's ward twenty two. We saw her as we walked in and she was sitting up in her bed We both asked her how she was but the first thing that she said "Dad, have I missed Santa Claus, has he left anything for me"? I said "Of course he has Suzie, he's left them under our tree" "I was hoping to see him" she said "Maybe he'll come by here Ten minutes Santa walked in to bring the children some cheer " Merry Christmas kids" he shouted then went from bed to bed It was Suzie's surgeon, who'd changed his white scrubs for red. We went home for a few hours rest and it started snowing again It hit me after being in that hospital seeing others in constant pain It made me think of how lucky I was and what's really precious in my life For me it's our darling daughter Suzie, and my rock Jane my lovely wife. WRITTEN 27th NOVEMBER 2022 FOR WRITING CHALLENGE-WRITE A CHRISTMAS POEM-POETRY CONTEST. SPONSORED BY CONSTANCE LA FRANCE.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 12/7/2022 11:26:00 AM
Tom, this emotive poem produced two kinds of tears - tears of sadness then tears of relief and joy. From all the turmoil came a miracle and Santa too for Suzie. As always your story poems carry me into the middle of the plot and won't let me go until the ending resolution. You are truly a gifted storyteller poet. Congratulations on your win! Blessings! Over Fork Over. The soul of the poet lives in Clan Cunningham!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/7/2022 12:06:00 PM
Thank you very much Sam for your congrats and lovely comment, much appreciated. I'm happy that you enjoyed the story. I find tragedies around Christmas time seem to amplify as everyone has high expectations that everything is going to be joyful and perfect. Over Fork Over. Long live the clan. Tom
Date: 12/5/2022 7:33:00 PM
Great and beautiful Christmas story experienced through your very daughter. Beautifully narrated as usual. Congratulations!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/5/2022 9:42:00 PM
Thank you very much Christuraj. I'm happy you enjoyed it. It was a fictional write but inspired by stories I've read, thankfully it had a happy ending. Tom
Date: 12/5/2022 11:25:00 AM
Great penning Tom, it must have been a traumatic time for you and your family. This is a piece of great imagery and insightfulness with lovely rhyme too. Hope things are well with you these days, blessings always,Gordon
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/5/2022 11:35:00 AM
Thank you very much Gordon, I'm happy you enjoyed it. It's a fictional write but inspired by stories I've read about where tragedy struck leading up to Christmas, some stories ended happily sadly some not. All good here and I hope you are too. Tom
Date: 12/5/2022 1:17:00 AM
Tom, a spell-binding and meaningful poem, a parents worst nightmare, congratulations on your win in my Writing Challenge - Write A Christmas Poem, well done, love the image too, your poem touched my heart, blessings
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/5/2022 1:44:00 AM
Thank you very much for my placement Constance I'm happy that you enjoyed it. We all like to think that Christmas will be happy and joyful but sometimes tragedy strikes and you realise what is really important in your life. Thank you too for hosting the contest. Have a great week. Tom
Date: 12/3/2022 12:26:00 PM
Congratulations on your winning placement Tom! I read somewhere that you are published and appearing in "The Daily Mirror" I would like to see it, don't know how?
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/3/2022 3:14:00 PM
Thank you very much Anaya, I sent my poem 'Christmas is coming' to one of our national papers the Daily Mirror and they published it. Its on here. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 11:02:00 PM
You had me sobbing Tom what a hurtful disastrous event you all went through. God and Jesus were certainly there for you. Hugs and blessings Jennifer
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 11:29:00 PM
Thank you very much Jennifer, we take so much for granted in our lives and its not until you nearly lose those things that you see life in a new light. I count my blessings because I know others are suffering great trauma in their lives right now, Hope you're keeping well. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 11:50:00 AM
Such a sad, sweet poem, Tom. I'm so glad it ended well. You are the best chronicler of life! Best of luck in contest-- I'm thinking this is a win!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 12:32:00 PM
Thank you very much Ann, I'm happy you enjoyed it, you never realise how much you have until you nearly lose it. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 8:56:00 AM
- What a touching story, Tom - When such things happen in our lives we understand what is most important - hugs
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 9:01:00 AM
Thank you very much Anne, it certainly puts things into perspective when tragedy strikes. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 6:12:00 AM
This will surely top the list, Tom, thank God your Suzie came out of it well.. You write narratives well:)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 8:10:00 AM
Thank you very much Jo, I love writing long poems. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 4:06:00 AM
awesome my friend! A hopeful poetic tale for this season, told in your unique way. Best wishes,, Pangie and family
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 5:25:00 AM
Thank you very much Pangie, it had a happy ending, sadly for many similar cases you hear about it isn't. I don't have to tell you that family means everything. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 3:35:00 AM
Oh Tom, your amazing wording made it seem so real. So glad it wasn't. The survival of one's child when they have been injured is the answer to every parent's prayers. Such a Christmas gift. Beautiful Poem Tom.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 5:24:00 AM
Thank you very much Wendy, I've heard of parents going through such trauma, it must be heartbreaking for them. Tom
Date: 11/28/2022 2:52:00 AM
Glad to know it is fictional work that reads like a good contender to me for the contest. Way to go. You must have strength of character to write such long story type poems. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/28/2022 3:25:00 AM
Thank you very much Sara, it takes a few days once I get an idea. Glad you enjoyed it. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 10:32:00 PM
Hope it is fictional. But you write as if it is so real . I like the surgeon rising to the occasion and acting out as Santa to cheer your daughter Suzie and other children. An eventful Christmas, dear Tom!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 11:04:00 PM
Thank you very much Valsa, it's a fictional write but many give up their own Christmas to give joy to others. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:06:00 PM
Only the joy of a child's innocent queries can bring us to the point of delight and thanksgiving. Glad the family survived to face another Xmas day, Tom. ~:o)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 8:08:00 PM
Thank you very much Arlo, your words are so true, Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 6:51:00 PM
Thank you for a great story of the season, Maestro! Bravo! Fave-time for me. :) gw
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 7:47:00 PM
Thank you very much Gershon, I'm happy you liked it. Thanks too for faving it. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 4:51:00 PM
Tom I’m so sorry to read about your daughter’s accident , you have written a wonderful tribute to her and an excellent Christmas poem for the contest. Tom don’t know if you’ve read my new blog “News“ but I made a mess of my reply to Jenna and I’m using my phone for the first time on Poetrysoup as I’m in hospital with COVID. The phone because of signal trouble in the hospital is hard going. I can’t submit Soupmail or invoices, tried to contact the team but the email would not send. If you can help I’d be vey grateful, can’t sleep thinking about it… Belle
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 5:02:00 PM
Thank you very much Belle, it's a fictional write for a contest. Glad you enjoyed it. Tom PS, will soupmail Jenna.
Date: 11/27/2022 4:03:00 PM
Your fiction- short stories are amazing Tom, filled with all emotions. You never seize to inspire!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 4:52:00 PM
Thank you very much Anaya, I'm glad that you liked it. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 11:08:00 AM
tom - you certainly know how to tell a story! i was riveted from top to bottom and love the way you managed to relate the whole tale in rhyme. after reading other's comments and your responses, i am very happy to hear that this didn't really happen - whew!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 11:55:00 AM
Thank you very much Ilene, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I think of an idea then create a story and then the hard work starts getting it to rhyme, Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 9:39:00 AM
Beautiful tale about a beautiful family. It's so great how you could translate it into a poem.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 9:49:00 AM
Thank you very much Andrea, im happy you enjoyed the story, when tragedy strikes it can cause upheaval in your life, thankfully there was a happy ending, sadly for many there isn't. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:47:00 AM
Sometimes it takes a tragic experience in life to realize how much we take for granted. Your storytelling prowess is wonderful, Tom. Think about writing a book of your short stories.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 9:45:00 AM
Thank you very much Jenna, sometimes we don't realise how rich we are, you're right though, tragedy can strike anytime and puts everything into perspective. It's something I've thought about doing, I'll write a few more and decide. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:41:00 AM
You are quite a story teller, Tom. Endearing sentiments throughout. A gem of a poem adorned in love of family.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 9:38:00 AM
Thank you very much Vijay, our families are worth their weight in gold. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:34:00 AM
Wonderful! Incredibly fine writing and a marvelous Christmas story, Tom. A FAVE for me, and I think it should definitely be a Poem of the Day! Captures the spirit of Christmas so beautifully.
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 9:36:00 AM
Thank you very much Milton, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it, we don't need to be wealthy to be happy sometimes our wealth is staring us in the face. Thanks too for faving it. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:28:00 AM
Tom, what a wonderfully penned captivating story, glad it had a good ending, did this really happen to you? Best of luck in the contest, I am sure this will place high on the winner's list!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 9:34:00 AM
Thank you very much Tania I'm happy that you enjoyed it's a fictional write, the only bit of truth is my wife is called Jane. Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 8:06:00 AM
Wow, this is so intense and well written Tom. It reaches me deeply. I hope that all is well and your Christmas is special. So many are suffering and need our blessings. Hugs :)
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 8:24:00 AM
Thank you very much Heidi, I love Christmas and hopefully it will be a peaceful one and hopefully for you too.. Hope you're you're having a lovely weekend Tom
Date: 11/27/2022 7:03:00 AM
I devoured voraciously this breathtaking story, from A to Z, my dearest friend, Tom. Indeed, it is the best and worst story ever I have read. I wish you Merry Christmas, without any drama. A winner poem. Blessings!
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/27/2022 7:12:00 AM
Thank you very much Demetrios I'm happy that you enjoyed it. I'm hoping so too and hope the same for you. Tom
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Book: Shattered Sighs