11 Comments

On the 100th year anniversary of this peaceful night At the Front, in the full-house Spokane theater with my wife and children, we saw an unforgettable reproduction. A dozen men in all different uniforms and voices, singing the carols they knew, interspersed with spoken letters like this, in the varied dialects of the authors. In unity, not combat. Their reality, that night between the trenches, is a path towards our own, if we choose. Merry Christmas, and love and serenity to All!

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Thank you, John, Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Beautiful, John. Thank you.

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Thanks, as always, for reading.

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What a treasured document from your grandfather and the war. Thank you for sharing it. I'm stretching my Christmas reading over the whole week, and your post is just the thing for keeping the Christmas spirit going for days. Merry Christmas, John! 🎄 ✨

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So glad to hear how it's landing for you, Tara. Merry Christmas!

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Oh what a beautiful story and piece of family heritage you have! Merry Christmas, John! Our interactions in here always make me perceive you as kind and peaceful - exactly what Christmas is about! 🙏🏼🎄😊

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One year, maybe 15 years ago, when none of our kids could be with us, we spent Christmas in Barcelona. I remember eating really late Christmas Eve. Christmas Day we strolled Las Ramblas.

New Year's Eve we spent at a pizza restaurant in Cadaques, with 100 strangers. At midnight, they cleared the tables to make a dance floor.

New Years day I wanted to buy a book in Spanish - I love reading in Spanish! Number 1 best seller in the bookstore was how to quit smoking. Number 2 was "La Sombra del Viento" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. So good. That book consumated my love for Barcelona and Catalunya.

Your comment triggered my memory of that time. Thank you!

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That's such a vivid memory, it surely made an impression! And it sounds exactly like Christmas in the area would be and still is today.

I read that book back in 2007, when I was living in the US, offered to me by my host family. I fell in love with Barcelona and vowed to move there one day. A memory of my own triggered by your words. ✨️✨️

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Oh, thank you, Monica. Your kindness shines through you words.

Merry Christmas!

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I love this so much--both the first time and having the chance to read it again. Grateful that your grandfather kept that and that you've shared it with us. 💜

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