REMEMBERING

Today is the day we honor our military men and women for paying a tremendous price. I’ve chosen to share this lyric as one small way to honor those lives lost. This is for them and their families, who no longer have their sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives.

Yes, it’s the beginning of summer and this is a Christmas song. But as this story tells, regardless of the season, it is always, ALWAYS about family.

THE ANGEL ON THE TREE
 (©2004 Carla Porter, words and music)

I told our son when you left
 It wouldn’t be long
 ‘Til you got back
 With that duffle bag on your shoulder

He had to watch his hero leave
 When you answered your call to duty

That first Christmas
 He picked out the tallest tree
 It was heavy
 He found a way
 To get it on the car
 He got strong

When he called out later on
 “Who wants to help me decorate the tree?”
 Our son had only me.

But we made a vow
 To wait for you
 Before we’d place
 That final touch
 On our tree
 So we left the angel in her box
 The one who smiles down
 Watching over me
 But Christmas morning came
 Without the chance to say
 It’s time
 For the angel on the tree

That next Christmas
 A letter came, but not you
 Then more letters
 And we’d say throughout the year
 “Soon he’ll be here.”

But when I called out
 Despite my fears
 “Who wants to help me decorate the tree?”
 Our son had only me.

We made a vow
 To wait for you
 Before we’d place
 That final touch
 On our tree
 So we left the angel in her box
 The one who smiles down
 Watching over me
 But Christmas morning came
 Without the chance to say
 It’s time
 For the angel on the tree

So when are you coming back?
 Our son grew up the night you left
 But the hope inside his heart
 Grows smaller
 With every Christmas Eve
 When it comes and goes
 Without the angel on the tree

It’s been so long
 Since I felt your touch
 It’s Christmas night
 There’s her box
 I have to set her golden wings free
 And place her high
 Where she belongs
 While all of the stars
 Are still here to see

I make a vow to wait for you
 As I place this final touch
 On our tree
 Now the angel
 She smiles down on us
 No longer in her box
 She watches over me

Then I hear
 The Christmas Spirit say
 You’re really coming home…

Some day

It’s time
 For the angel on the tree