A New Year 2021

 by Cheryl Merrick

Many are rejoicing today

hoping that the New Year

will bring an end 

to their pandemic woes,

and that the mere turning

of a calendar page

can bring a return 

to our old "normal" life.

During this past year 

some have lost family members,

and we have all felt the longing

to be with those we love

and just give them a hug.

Christmas 2020

by Cheryl Merrick

This year Christmas

is different.

The normal holiday bustle

has slowed to more of an amble.

The social frenzy has fizzled,

and our myopic focus on 

finding "the perfect gift"

has enlarged, 

as realizing how important

our families are to us,

we are filled with a longing 

to just be with them.

Facing a pandemic, death of loved ones,

unemployment, and civil unrest

has made us more

aware of our vulnerabilities

and grateful that 

our Savior came to earth 

to show us how to live

and to give us hope.