Franco Nube 
They say that Christmas is a season of giving,
But for us who have already lost too much,
Or those who lost everything they hold dear,
What more can we give?
As the years march slowly,
And as we do inevitably age…
We have found the Christmas season grows colder –
an unfortunate discovery that many of us stumble upon.
Though as if the glistening Christmas lights
cannot pierce through the gloom that lingers in the air
As though the cold December breeze reaches one’s heart,
and keeps it frozen still.
I could not find once more,
The joy and wonder that was within me as a child during Christmas,
A treasure lost in the depths of the encompassing void that is my heart.
Perhaps it is not that Christmas grows dull as we age,
But we have simply lost the childlike wonder as we have matured,
and became aware of life’s indifference.
And for us, who have lost most,
Those of us, who have nothing more to give,
I’m certain you struggle to find the meaning that Christmas serves, too.
I’ve heard that love is the greatest gift of all,
So, why don’t we start there?
A gift that will not drain our already half-empty cup, but help fill it.
This time, the only gift we can give is not for anybody else, but for ourselves,
The gift of a second chance-
the chance to love ourselves.
