lost Veterans

 It was cold outside, with tiny snowflakes barely reaching the ground. The streets were quiet, and the only sound was that of a city bus on its final run. The storefront windows thrilled its last shoppers, two young lovers' arms wrapped around each other to keep warm as they talked about future holidays together.

The bells of St. Mary's tolled twelve times, reminding us of the true meaning of this Christmas Eve as people arrived and found a seat. Candles were lit for souls gone before us, and prayers asking for forgiveness silently passed through the crowd.

Now, deep into the night, children everywhere sleep with dreams of Christmas morning, and the streets are empty except for a lone figure walking towards someplace unknown but feeling at peace as the incense still lingered on his coat and the words of the priest repeated themselves with each step he took.

He grew tired and found a bench to rest on as the night grew colder and a North wind froze everything it touched. A million thoughts crossed his mind as he remembered his younger years when life was good, and happiness filled his life with the love of family and friends.

They found him on Christmas morning frozen to death, and nobody thought the frozen tears on his face meant anything except to him. He was just another unfortunate soul down on his luck alone at Christmas who died of a broken spirit and lonely heart.

There were no whiskey bottles or crack pipes, no wallet or credit cards, just a crinkled one-dollar bill and a small wooden cross around his neck. The church took care of arrangements that nobody attended, and he was laid to rest in a pauper field alongside others who passed into the night and were forgotten.

Too many veterans suffer in one way or another as their world is seen through their eyes only. They are broken and need our help to return home and leave the carnage of battle behind them. My heart cries out to all of our veterans who didn't know how to leave the fighting behind them and, for reasons only known to them, just wanted to be left alone to walk the streets in search of the unknown.

Mike  2024