    Perhaps it is because I was raised in such a warm and loving family, that I feel so sad when I hear about this one or that one, who is not speaking to, or is feuding with, their sister or brother, or other relative or even a long-time friend. For some it has been years since they have seen or spoken to the other and especially at this time of year I think; “What would it take to mend the fences, bury the hatchets, heal the wounds?” “What if, ONE of the parties involved set aside their “pride,” JUST ONCE, and contacted the other person, just to say hi and express a wish for a Merry Christmas? That’s all, and if it is not received in the manner in which it was intended, well okay then, at least you’ve tried and I think you would and should, feel much better about yourself anyway, for at least attempting to be a “healer”..
    And that is what this poem is all about. Oh, and you better do it today, and do it like there’s no tomorrow… Just in case!
        Have a thoroughly therapeutic Thursday,
Jake.
Join together in the feast that is life
       Â
LIFE IS A FEAST
Â
Precious and dear,
are family and friend,
and not until, they’ve vanished,
do we remember,
that life is a feast,
and now, they’ve left us famished.
*
But, pity more so,
the feuding ones,
who, from their lives, they’ve banished.
Let the olive’s branch,
extend now to those,
before, the permanence, of damage.
 ***
Feb. 2011
Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 12/20/12
poemsandponderings 
What a great piece today and very true. I agree—I can not imagine being estranged from family and not speaking to them!
I know, but yet we hear about it so often, it is incomprehensible to me, how supposedly, intelligent adults, can act so childishly at times. And how they can be so callous and hurtful to each other. Frankly, I don’t understand it and I am glad that I don’t.
“Merry Christmas to you and all of your kin, good tidings on Christmas, and all the year in….” Beth Ann.
Ah, it is so true that only when something/someone is gone do we appreciate the role it/he or she filled. Excellent reminder, Jake.
Thank you Denise, and at this time of year it is natural to reminisce about the old times and the people now gone. But it is the ones that are estranged that are the saddest of all.. Especially families.. That is why I say I’m blessed, my family is full of love, and we have a connectivity that may be separated by distance, but ignites immediately upon contact of any kind. I pray that all is well with you and I would like to repeat my wishes for the merriest Christmas and the happiest New year to you and all of those that you care about.. Jake.
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