My Mom was born in 1936. The war started in 1939

She was born in Luton, England

33 miles from London

She spent many hours in air raid shelters as the bombs fell.

Food was rationed, and there was little to be found

It was a hard childhood, but she never complained

This poem is for her, one of the strongest women I know.

Mom loved The Grinch book because it reminded her of the War Who Stole Christmas. Just like the book, the war didn't steal Christmas; it magnified the reason for celebrating, love, faith, and family above all else.