December, already? Yikes! Christmas is quickly approaching, and I look forward to being home with my wife and our families to celebrate the holiday together (not just a holiday, but the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ). Christmas is very important to me, and it’s definitely more than just gifts and fairy tales. I don’t mean to cram my beliefs down the throats of others, but I am very excited about my relationship with Jesus, and what He has done for us, purely because He loves us! I would love for everyone to enjoy the blessings and peace that comes from really knowing who He is. I admit, though, that I do like the cartoon specials, the decorations, and the whole vibe that comes with the Christmas holiday. Without taking my focus off of the true meaning of Christmas, I dig the typical American traditions we all remember – Santa Claus, reindeer, elves and such, are not what Christmas is all about, but they are fun to indulge in during the season. I love the songs, the stories, the poems, the gifts, and the warmth of being home with friends and family. I sincerely hope that you can be home for this Christmas, as well. This poem is clearly a loose parody of a very well-known Christmas poem known as “The Night Before Christmas” – I hope you enjoy it!
THE NIGHT BEFORE…
By Trevor Hardwick
‘Twas the night before Christmas, on Interstate Five,
With home on my heart, and chains on my drives.
The snowflakes reflecting, an amber-like glow,
And pavement that’s covered, in black ice and snow.
The houses were covered, with holiday light,
With trees in their windows, and families in sight.
My Kenworth sang songs, in the chill of the air,
The temperature gauge, said it’s dropping out there.
When out on the road, there arose such a clatter,
A cross-link had broke, and a drag chain had shattered.
The road was so slick, that I started to slide,
I turned on the flashers, and pulled to the side.
I muttered some syllables, then gritted my teeth.
Not looking forward, to crawling beneath.
When what to my wondering eyes, should appear,
But a big bellied man, with a snowy white beard.
“Have you ever hung chains, on a trailer this big?”
I asked unaware, of the size of his rig.
He looked kind of strange, in a suit mostly red,
But I was relieved, at the words that he said.
“On Donner! On Cabbage! On Ashland! On Hebron!
On Sherman! On Sisters! On Vail! On Stevens!
On Timptes! On Fontaines! On Wabash, and more!
On Dorseys! On Great Danes! On trailers galore!”
He said, “I’ve been driving, in snow all my life,
Now let’s get you fixed up, and home to your wife!”
In the blink of an eye, my Bridgestones were wrapped,
In shiny chrome chains, and no more re-caps!
Amazed at the sight, I had seen ‘fore my eyes,
I offered a handshake, but to my surprise…
The old man was gone, to where I don’t know,
He left me there stunned, in the chicken light glow.
I walked to the cab, and I opened the door,
And there was a neatly-wrapped, box on the floor.
The card on the top, had my name on a note,
And tears filled my eyes, as I read what he wrote.
“The boy that you were, and the man you became,
I’m happy to see, that you’re both quite the same.
You always had left me, with cookies and such,
And notes that had asked me, for nothing but trucks!”
“Now you’re delivering goods, just like me.
Which is greater than gifts, I leave under the tree.
Sure I still know, if you’re naughty or nice,
And tonight you’ll be safe, as you roll on the ice.”
“Shiny side up, as you roll on your way,
You roll your rig, and I’ll fly my sleigh.
Roll ‘til your hometown, is plainly in sight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”