Waking up, cold seeping in
from the window next to the bed.
The house, usually loud with roommates,
sits quite, all having gone to see family.

Peace and quiet, so often asked for,
and so often appreciated,
seems like an unwelcome guest
on Christmas day.

The loneliness of a quite Christmas,
if looked at closely enough,
bears just as many gifts
as a house full of family.

Time to think, to pray,
to be thankful for a roof and warm food.
Time to be grateful for the loneliness,
for people worth missing
are a beautiful thing.

Learning to appreciate the quiet,
to understand the gift of a lively home,
to see the beauty
in the differences inherent in both.