24 Comments

“I call him Bob, look for him first each time that my computer

opens this joyful scene; it tugs my heart, his lonely form

against the twinkle-lit trees and windows.” This is so beautiful!

Expand full comment

Bob thanks you, Francesca, and so do I! 💛🌿

Expand full comment

Bob finds comfort in the surroundings of his community. Neighbors stand ready to

Offer”a cup of tea”.

Elizabeth-your

poem touches the quiet desperation of so many during the holidays.

Beautifully crafted!

Expand full comment

Thank you, sister Lucinda! 💛🌿

Expand full comment

I remember Bob, and how delightfully and poignantly you presented his message!

I gave my two adult daughters this year's Jacquie Lawson advent calendar. I think they are enjoying exploring Paris. Maybe next year, I'll give one to myself. :)

Expand full comment

Oh, I hope you do!

I started in Paris this year but found myself longing for village life. Thank goodness JL offers "reruns" along with each year's new calendar....

Expand full comment

Elizabeth, once again your vivid word pictures tug at my heart strings--capturing the joy and reason for Christ's coming at Christmas, to be God with us, the creatures whom He has made. May we all have a Bob-welcoming heart--thank you.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, Jody. ✨🎄💛

Expand full comment

Amen, Jody.

Expand full comment

Oh!! I love Bob and all you’ve seen. I like to think of him talking with the women who gave you the persimmons (if we quietly merge countries). And I think if Bob saw Albee Bear in the trash, he’d pull him out, shake the dust off him, and give him a cup of tea back at home. Thank you for building this poem world of Bob in our hearts!

Expand full comment

I'm sure that Bob is kind to bears. 🤎🧸🤎

(Some of Jacquie Lawson's sweetest animations feature Teddies getting up to all sorts of mischief -- Albee and his friends would fit right in to her world!)

Expand full comment

I forgot about Bob! How could I? Maybe he is in Paris this year sitting at one of the tables, enjoying the to-ing and fro-ing in front of him.

Expand full comment

Maybe he is, or you might spot his cousin!

Expand full comment

This is just stunning. I was with you all the way and with Bob. We all have a Bob inside us. And Advent calendars—I’ve been with my mom and she has three of them that we opened each day.

Expand full comment

Aren't Advent calendars the dearest??? I'm so glad that Bob's calendar welcomed you in, LeeAnn. And you're absolutely right about the Bob inside us.

Expand full comment

I really love this, the imagery so deftly described that I see the village, might and snowfall, even including the mechanical work of the animations. And I feel it, too, especially Bob, as a fellow loner myself, sharing Christmas a bit differently than others, but still loving it.

Thanks for posting this again, Elizabeth

Expand full comment

Thank you, Amy -- and a blessed Advent to you in your high-desert "village"!

Expand full comment

Compassion, community, Advent and Bob. Thank you

Expand full comment

Thanks for reading, Shari.

Expand full comment

Love this poem and the "quiet center" it evokes.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Mary Katherine.

Expand full comment

What a wonderful poem! I love that you saw Bob, when so many others seem not to have seen him. I'm glad you imagined why he might be alone the way he is and how his neighbors might be kind to him. Have you ever shared this poem with the Jacquie Larsen folks?

Expand full comment

I agree in that it gives us loners hope to be seen and accepted.

Expand full comment

I haven't figured out how to do that! I'm glad to share it here, though. Thanks for reading and entering-in, Rose.

Expand full comment