This is too thought-provoking not to share...thank you, Gus! I am adding one of my own: Last Christmas we could only see our differences. This Christmas we see only our common humanity. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gus Ellis" <aj204@adelphia.net> To: <IRELAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 11:58 AM Subject: [IRELAND] DIFFERENT THIS CHRISTMAS > DIFFERENT THIS CHRISTMAS > > Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn't have; > this Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have. > > Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; > this Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes. > > Last Christmas we were letting our sons play with toy guns; > this Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not toys. > > Last Christmas we were counting our money; > this Christmas we are counting our blessings. > > Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; > this Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate. > > Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find money > to fly home for the holidays; > this Christmas we are digging deep into our souls to find the courage to > do so. > > Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best > of us; > this Christmas we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them. > > Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was > a hero; > this Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning building is the > real one. > > Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things > that money can buy; this Christmas we are wondering how to give them all > the things money can't (peace, security). > > Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we are under at > the office; > this Christmas we are thinking about all the people who no longer have > an office to go to. > > Last Christmas we were singing carols; > this Christmas we are singing anthems. > > Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; > this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to be alive. > > Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; > this Christmas we know they are right here on earth. > > Last Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make > in the new year; > this Christmas we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make > in this new reality. > > Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went > to taxes; > this Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn't free. > > Last Christmas the people we idolized wore sports uniforms; > this Christmas the people we idolize wear police, firefighter and > military uniforms. > > Last Christmas peace on earth is something we prayed for on Sunday > morning; > now it's something we pray for every day. > > Have a Healthy, Peaceful, Holiday > > Gus >