We have a friend,

At Christmas, I think of her spirit,

her generosity and warmth,

her hard love and hard work,

her love of her family, for whom

she has worked so hard,

and for so long.

We have a friend, she is nameless,

faceless in so many ways,

she reminds me of my own life,

my sweet grandmother,

We have a friend, she is

the little pawn in a big game

played by angry and cold men.

We have a friend,

her heart is as big as an oak tree,

she works day and night,

every day of the week, in broiling sun

and bitter cold.

We have a friend,

she does not know how to whine

or complain, or lie.

We have a friend,

who is a strong woman,

when I ask if I can take her  picture,

she smiles and says, “thank you,”

We have a friend

we wish her the happiest of Christmases,

a prosperous and peaceful,

and safe New Year.

We have a friend,

she wishes you all the same.