The Christmas shoes and a last Christmas. It has been a challenging year. My mom passed away after a battle against kidney and other systemic problems last year on December 27, 2016. Her actual last conscious time was Christmas Day last year. My girlfriend and I dressed in our holiday best and brought presents and cards to the hospital room. She was a bit in and out but she knew who we were and that it was Christmas. We stayed for quite awhile but eventually it was time to go and we kissed her goodbye promising to see her the next day. The next day she wasn’t “really” there and fairly soon passed away. It was a blessing because she’s in a better place but it wasn’t easy. I knew I’d have to write something with a perfect theme this Christmas and so I looked up “Sad Christmas Songs” and I found the perfect one and it is quoted below. My mom loved shoes and until she couldn’t she wore elegant footwear. I believe mom would have liked these words.
The Christmas Shoes
It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
Tryin’ to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing ’round like little boys do
And in his hands he held a pair of shoes
His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight
He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said, “son, there’s not enough here”
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she just did without
Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
Somehow I’ve got to buy her these Christmas shoes
So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out
And I’ll never forget the look on his face when he said
Mama’s gonna look so great
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight
I knew I’d caught a glimpse of heaven’s love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me just what Christmas is all about
Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my mama, please
It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir, daddy says there’s not much time
You see she’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight
I want ‘er to look beautiful if mama meets Jesus tonight
(Songwriters: EDDIE CARSWELL, LEONARD AHLSTROM)
Peace, Merry Christmas—we miss you mom.
