Christmas Music … Day 130

There are two things that my family knows very well about me; 1) I love Christmas music, and 2) I am extremely emotional and can become teary-eyed over seemingly nothing. The guys love to tease me about how early in the year I will start listening to my Christmas music. And when the season does get here, they will often say, “do you need some Kleenex, Mom?” when certain Christmas ads come on during a commercial break.

Though I am teased about how early I will start listening to my Christmas music, the love I have for it makes it a very easy and sure gift for anyone wondering what I might like for Christmas. This is exactly what TJ did several years ago when he gave me what was then Josh Groban’s newest album, “Noel”. TJ knew that I like both Josh Groban and Christmas music, so he had a sure thing in that gift, and he hit the mark dead on! I loved the album and played it throughout that day, and the next, and the next and … well, let’s just say it was a gift that has kept on giving many times over!

However, I had to keep my box of Kleenex very close at hand while listening to this album. The third song on the album is “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” It was written by James ‘Kim’ Gannon and was recorded on October 4, 1943 by Bing Crosby. Because the country was in the midst of World War II, the recording rose to number three on the music charts and remained there for eleven consecutive weeks, as it expressed the hearts of so many soldiers and their families. Numerous artists have performed the song since Bing Crosby. But it is the way that Josh Groban has recorded it that has always brought me to tears.

My understanding is that when Josh was working with his recording producer while producing his Christmas album, he asked if it was possible for them to get recordings of actual service men and women sending verbal greetings to their families and then incorporate their greetings into the song.

The song begins with a piano introduction. About two measures into the introduction the voice of Sgt. Patrick Hawkins is heard as he says hello to those back home. His is followed by Specialist Brook Frisk who was serving in Iraq. After their Christmas greetings to their family and friends Josh begins the first verse of the song;

            ‘I am dreaming tonight of a place that I love,

Even more than I usually do.

And although I know it’s a long road back,

I promise you,

I’ll be home for Christmas…’

As the song continues, so do the service men’s and women’s Christmas greetings. At the very end of the song a little girl’s voice gives a message to her daddy. She tells him that they have a special gift for him under their Christmas tree and that it will be waiting for him when he returns home.

The very first time that I listened to this album on that Christmas day several years ago, TJ caught me in the kitchen, wiping my eyes, and he just chuckled. The first time it caught me off-guard, but after that I began doing much better, being able to listen to the song without crying at all! That is, until last year . . .

This is TJ’s fourth Christmas since he enlisted and it is the second one that his service to our country will prevent him from coming home for Christmas. Last year was the first one, and because of that, this song was very difficult for me to get through. However, TJ was state-side and we were able to call him several times throughout the day just to say, ‘hi’. So, even by the time Christmas came, I was doing better with this song.

As TJ serves in Kuwait and his cousin serves in Afghanistan, this song has become “my” song. This is my family singing those lyrics. Both of these young people went to their oversea posts voluntarily, knowing it would take them away from family for Christmas. Beth, our niece, has gone so that others could make it home for Christmas. TJ volunteered because he firmly believes it is necessary for our country’s freedom and for its protection from our newest enemies, the radical terrorist groups.

I am listening to my Christmas music just as much as I have in other years. Yes, it will be a difficult day with TJ in Kuwait, but I know TJ is doing what he believes in and loves so I can stand tall and proud of him. And, as long as I’ve got my box of Kleenex close by - especially while I listen to Josh Groban’s album - I’m enjoying even this very special song. You see, there is a sense in which TJ will be home for Christmas, because he is in our every thought, dream, and prayer.

Merry Christmas, Pal!

We miss you and love you,

Mom and Dad


If you would like to hear Josh Groban's song, "I'll Be Home For Christmas", I encourage you to have your Kleenex ready when you go to the linked site. They have done a fabulous job with a slide show to go along with the song!