Eighty-six years ago
they married
during the Great Depression
with war on the rise
they meant for the ceremony
to be in September
but he had the mumps
so the wedding occurred
on the twelfth of December
before the justice of the peace
she wore a blue suit
on the day after Christmas
she turned twenty-one
Every December after
he gave her
a red poinsettia
he knew
how much she loved them
Across the decades
she’d jest about
having nothing
to look forward to
the rest of the year
with her anniversary
Christmas
and birthday all
in the same month
December
for her
was pure delight
celebrations
of Light
and life
In the last years
when he was gone
I gave her
a red poinsettia
during the season
for the sight
of her face alight
blue eyes bright
Someone else gave her
a silk poinsettia
after she went into
the nursing home
once when I visited
she was watering it
We did not know
all those years ago
that their wedding anniversary
would become
National Poinsettia Day
I just learned it
how she’d love it
just another sign
that love is divine
and lives on and on
and on
My grandparents, on my first Christmas.
Love lives on.
Photo: National Day Calendar
lit bits and pieces 
What a special story to hold near! I give poinsettias to my husband’s mother and godmother. This year I ordered them from a fundraiser and they are particularly gorgeous and full.
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The poinsettias in our church this year are gorgeous as well. Grandma died the day before Christmas Eve – I knew it would be in December; it was, after all, her month – and the tiny country church was decorated with poinsettias. I asked for Silent Night to be played, as it was her favorite Christmas song. It was perfect.
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You made me cry! Love is definitely divine!
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I write of my grandparents – Grandma especially – with a profound sense of gratitude. Their faith was pure and real, as was their commitment to each other and to their family. I wear Grandma’s wedding band with my own every day. Love does not die ❤
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Fran, I’m catching up on some blog reading and this is so beautiful, the way you weave the dates and show the significance of dates as celebrations to carry on tradition. Another shade of Ruby shining through the years!
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