‘Twas the night before Christmas on my favorite river.
The sun had gone down and I caught a cold shiver.
I’d put in that day on a high water run
Hoping to catch some pre-Christmas fun.
Less than half through the run, much to my chagrin
I knew that my problems were about to begin.
It seems the last rainfall was worse than I’d thought.
There were too many trees down; I knew I’d been caught.
Too many strainers – surely there was no shortage,
And too many times I found I had to portage.
So there I sat on that cold gravel bar,
Preparing myself to sleep under the stars.
I was cold, I was wet, and I had run out of food,
I was working myself into a bit of a mood!
When back in the forest there arose such a din,
I figured an elephant would come charging in.
Bursting forth from the tree line just pretty as you please,
Sprang a man with a beard, he was covered with leaves.
He made his way over and sat by my fire
And said: “Son, looks like your situation is dire.
Your death you will catch I can easily see.
Grab your boat and your stick and please just follow me.
My truck is parked yonder, just over the hill.
When we get you in there we can take off that chill”.
He seemed like a nice, rather kindly old gent
So I picked up my gear and then off we both went.
I was glad for my helmet as we traipsed through the trees
And I wondered how come he could possibly see.
But we made good time; I knew I was in luck.
In no time we stood by his beat up old truck.
He said: “Son hop on in, there’s hot cocoa inside.
I’ll fire up the heat and we’ll go for a ride”.
Tossed my boat in the bed right next to a large sack,
And I wondered what Mysteries he had in the back.
Not the first time I wondered about this strange guy
With a continuous smile and a gleam in his eye!
Hypnotized by the road, mesmerized by the heat,
Next thing you know I had fallen asleep.
I nodded right off and as strange as it seems
I had a bizarre, most peculiar dream!
That old truck left the road straight up into the sky.
The old man just laughed as we started to fly.
He said: “Son just relax and I hope you don’t mind
If we make a few stops, we’ve got plenty of time.
But there’re a few things that I just have to do
And I’d like you to help make a child’s Dream come true.
You see Christmas, it comes only once in the year
And people are counting on me to appear”.
As if by magic, without further delay,
That old truck turned into a big bright shiny sleigh.
I turned ‘round behind me and I looked in the back,
And I knew what the Mysteries were in the sack.
I had no more worries about that old man,
‘Cause I knew he had made me a part of the Plan.
We stopped and he worked. What a beautiful sight -
It all became clear as we flew through the night!
The Meaning of Christmas, the way we should live.
We have it within us, our hearts we should give.
And treat each among us with love and respect.
Do right by each other and never neglect
The Gifts we’ve been given, we find them within.
We make the Connection and then we begin
To walk down the Path and at last understand.
We’ll have Peace on Earth as we walk hand in hand.
That old truck hit a pothole, I awoke with a jar.
We were back at the takeout and back at my car.
I wished the old man all the best on this day,
After all it was Christmas and if I may say?
He saved me from a most uncomfortable night;
Went out of his way for my pitiful plight.
I thanked him again and I noticed the sack
Was totally empty with my boat - in the back.
I unloaded my gear and I paid it no mind,
Not noticing my old P.F.D. left behind.
Standing next to my car - fumbling ‘round for my key,
I found on my front seat a new P.F.D!
And that’s when I realized things aren’t as they seem.
As strange as it sounds my night wasn’t a dream!
The Spirit of Christmas had paid me a call,
And I had been blessed once again after all!
The old man drove off with that gleam in his eye
Before I could even wish him a goodbye.
But I heard him proclaim as he drove out of sight:
“Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!”
And I knew in my heart with no room for rebuttal,
That was the night Santa Claus ran my shuttle!
May the Spirit of Christmas find each and every one of you.
