Bill Cone
F.O.R. San Bernard Member
Website Contributor/Photographer
Wallpaper # 5
 

After Christmas

Christmas is over, the children contented,
The anxious anticipation has ended.
So long we awaited that magical day,
Now Christmas has gone its merry old way.

The presents from Santa brought smiles to small faces
And wrappings were strewn all over the place.
It’s grateful we are to the jolly old gnome,
But it’s time to sweep Christmas out of our home.

The ribbons and bows, the paper and tags
Were all gathered up and stuffed into bags.
Gone are the garland, the holly and wreath,
And the mistletoe mom ‘n dad kissed underneath.

Our cardboard fireplace, in need of repair,
Was stapled and taped and folded with care.
Bright decorations that gave us such cheer
Go up to the attic ‘til Christmas next year.

Then the grandest of beauties to every child’s eyes
Was stripped of her elegant holiday guise.
Condemned to a fate that seems cruelly unfair,
Our tree lies abandoned, lonely and bare.

Since all is removed that once brightened our lives,
Seems the room they adorned is much greater in size
And all that remains of the holiday spent
Are rogue bits of tinsel and evergreen scent.

Tinges of sadness creep into my brain
As I survey the room, now dreadfully plain,
But then I recall all the wonderful things
That heighten the spirit that Christmas time brings,

Like crystal clear skies on cold starry nights,
Neighborhood houses aglimmer with lights,
Carols playing wherever we go,
And the children’s delight at the prospect of snow.

My sadness returns when, alas, I remember
How long we must wait until next December,
But sadder by far are the young ones who learn
It’s another whole year ‘til Christmas returns.

By Bill Cone




Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas !
Thank you Bill, Roy and Jan for sharing your Christmas thoughts and memories.

F.O.R. San Bernard Website Committee



 

What makes the little San Bernard River Great?

 

What do YOU think makes the San Bernard River one of the best places in the world to be? We all believe it is - or we wouldn’t be Friends Of the River. But we all have our thoughts on why it is special - to us. Is it the fishing? Water skiing or wake boarding? Or something quieter, like bird watching, kayaking or researching its rich history? Do you have a story to tell - or maybe an old family video of something that happened along its banks? If you do, F.O.R. would like your input.

 

Instead of a speaker for our 2nd annual meeting in February, we thought maybe many of our voices could tell our own personal story of the river – something we could tell our children for generations to come. So, we are making a documentary about the river. One of our members, Rick Myers, a freelance photo journalist, has volunteered his time and talent to film the documentary – but we need to know what our members would like to see in it. It would be kind of like a time capsule of our river and we need your help to complete it in time.

 

If you have an idea, a great story, a legend, a picture, a video or just your thoughts about what should be in the documentary, we need your help! Linda Wright has graciously volunteered to collect our thoughts for the documentary which will be shot and prepared for the February meeting during the month of January. So, time is of the essence. If you have a contribution – big or small – please contact Linda Wright at linda@sanbernardriver.com and let her know what you think we should add before the end of the year. Think of your contribution as your Christmas present to the river that gives you joy all year long!