I have a wish… To live a dream. 
Sleep without thinking without feeling, 
That Christmas is coming 
And one more year has passed away. 
 

To sleep and not remember that I will not see, 
I will not touch and embrace, 
My beloved children 
Which on Christmas Night far away will be. 
 

That is a wish deep from a mother’s heart, 
Who misses dearly her loved ones. 
That is a wish deep from a mother’s heart, 
Who is not strong enough to live this moment of sorrow. 
 

Christmas night… night of light, joy, love memories. 
So many desires… so many hopes. 
On this day I will be smiling and singing… 
Although my feeble heart will be crying. 
 

 But… God is so generous, so good, 
That this Christmas I will ask him a special wish. 
Not to live a dream, but to return one day to the past
When my children were still close to me.
 

I will ask to have as before, on Christmas Night my home full of joy.   
And my Christmas tree full of colourful lights. 
Have as before my children sitting around the table, 
And together celebrate a Real Christmas… a Happy Christmas.

At home. London, December 1989 
 MARIA LUCIA DA COSTA