Twas the night before Christmas 2020

tWas the night before Christmas 2020, and all through the house, every creature was stirring, from human to mouse.the Stockings were tossed on the chimney who cares, it’s been months since we’ve entertained, will Saint Nicholas even be there.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds, with visions of rubber gloves dancing in their heads, and mom in her scrubs, and me in my mask,had just settled our brains, for our long cleaning task.
When out on the roof, there arose, such a clatter, i sprang from my mop, to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash, I peaked through the shutters barely touching the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave me faith that someday we would have somewhere to go.
When what to my wandering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight spotless reindeer.
With a little old driver decked out in full gear, I knew in the moment we’d have Christmas this year. More safely than hazmat the reindeer they came, then he whistled and shouted and called them by name now Clorox, now Pine-Sol,now listle, and pure. on Comit, on purell, on top job, and Germ ex. wipe the top of the porch, then the top of the wall, now wipe away, wipe away, wipe away all.
As dry leaves that set Before the wild hurricane fly, when they finished they took a jump to the sky so up to the rooftop, the Reindeer they flu, with a sleigh full of masks, and Saint Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, the pawing and dancing of each rubber gloved hoof.
as I pulled out my mask, and was turning around, down the chimney it came, a big bucket with a bound. it was covered in plastic from bottom to top and the contents were sterile despite of the long drop. I miss seeing his eyes and his dimples so Mary, but this virus prevents that, these times are so scary. I imagine his face and his little round Belly, that shook when he left like hand sanitizer jelly.
But I saw him outside, though close to his sleigh and I laughed when I saw him, from 6 feet away.
with a wink of his eye and a wave of his hand, I felt warm inside, Santa too, understands. and without a word I went right to my work I filled all our stockings and turn With a jerk. And laying a finger aside of his mask The reindeer Rose up, they had finished their task. He waved to me then, and gave his team a shout and socially distancing quickly flew out.
But I’ve heard him proclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all, we will all be all right
From Terry Heltsley, President
Madison County association of the blind
PO Box 192, E. Alton, IL 62024
www.mcabil.org
telephone (618) 600 – 9388