Santa wasn’t supposed to find this kind of house on Christmas Eve.No Christmas tree. No stockings. No cookies.Just combat boots by the mantle, sand where comfort should be, and a Canadian soldier sleeping alone on the floor.In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I recite an original Christmas poem / Christmas story I wrote—told through Santa’s eyes—about a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) soldier spending Christmas alone. It’s a spoken word piece about military life, loneliness, and the real cost of freedom, especially during the holidays.If you’re searching for a Christmas poem about soldiers, a military Christmas story, a Canadian soldier Christmas poem, or a Christmas message for veterans, you’re in the right place. This is for anyone who has served, loves someone who serves, or knows what it feels like to carry trauma, mental health struggles, addiction recovery, or isolation through the season that’s “supposed” to be joyful.In this episode you’ll hear:A Christmas Eve story about a Canadian soldier aloneA raw look at veteran loneliness and the quiet side of serviceReflections on trauma, PTSD, and mental health during the holidaysA reminder of why we say “support our troops” and remember veteransA closing Christmas blessing for those standing watch—at home or deployedIf this story resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs it.💬 Comment: Are you a CAF member, veteran, military family, or someone missing a loved one this Christmas?New here? Unwritten Chapters is a solo storytelling podcast from a former army medic and paramedic turned author, talking honestly about trauma recovery, addiction, mental health, and making sense of life after rock bottom—with dark humour, empathy, and a writer’s eye for detail.📚 My BooksA Medic’s Mind – Memoir of military medic → paramedic, trauma, loss and reinvention. Amazon: https://a.co/d/fbYbp7xTrauma and Tea: Essays on Trauma, Recovery and Growing Up the Hard Way – A collection of raw essays about hitting rock bottom, healing and telling the truth. Amazon: https://a.co/d/9GnaoDV🌐 Visit my website for more: www.authormheneghan.com Author Matthew Heneghan🎙️ Host of the podcast Unwritten Chapters – Life After Trauma (for veterans, first responders, survivors of addiction and anyone rewriting the next chapter). Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC?si=N66NaCV_RGWcOrJz9HR-nALINKS & RESOURCES– Buy my books: authormheneghan.com/buy-the-book Author Matthew Heneghan– Follow on IG / Twitter / Facebook – @matthewhenehgan_author– Drop a comment, hit Subscribe, ring the 🔔 — let’s build a community of truth-telllers, healers and story-keepers.WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON THIS CHANNEL– Solo storytime episodes about PTSD, therapy, addiction recovery, relationships, family, and life after rock bottom– Unfiltered reaction videos to pop culture, internet drama, and politics through the eyes of a former army medic and paramedic– Honest conversations about mental health, trauma, grief, and trying to stay human in a burned-out world (with plenty of dark humour)– Updates on my books, podcast, and creative projects, plus real talk about writing and living your own next chapterThanks for being here. Whether you’ve worn a uniform, watched someone struggle, or are simply trying to make peace with your past — you’re not alone. Let’s walk it out together.