My dear friend, Judith, sent this poem to me in October, 2000. What a wonderful birthday gift.
I was deeply touched by her love and caring.

WINTER DREAMS


As winter winds begin to blow and snow falls soft and still,
I think about my Mary's house, built high upon a hill.


A friend, my Mary, even though we've never met,
Invited this southern stranger, so my heart would not forget,


To walk amidst the tall, tall pines, in her world of snowy white,
This wondrous place, high on a hill, bathed in soft moonlight.


We will sip our apple cider, leaned 'gainst her fireplace wall,
She will listen to my childhood dreams, to the best I can recall,


How as a little south born girl, each Christmas into Lent,
I'd pray my hardest, heartfelt prayer on little knees, 'til spent,


That God, one favor grant to me, a Christmas of child delight,
For snow to fall from Eve of His birth and on into the night.


My dearest, Mother snowed the sills and windowpanes each year,
While she told the story of long ago, for my little ears to hear,


How in this land so far away, when our Savior came to be,
Only crisp, cool air and none the snow, for any eye to see.


That someday far, I may have my prayer of a wonderland, so light,
But that this season is Holy still, whether snow or sun so bright.


All these years, hereafter, I have plainly come to know,
It is the love, shown 'round the world, that sets my heart aglow,


With knowledge that Christmas angels, come from everywhere,
For one I know lives far away, her name is Mary,Dear.


Copyright © 2000 by
Judith Chilton


These are the words that Judith
wrote at the bottom of the poem.


Written for Mary Alward
My dearest, Canadian Friend
By
Judith Chilton
© September 26, 2000




Judith, thank you so much for this
beautiful poem. It touched my heart.