T'was the night before Christmas

1999

It's 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and all good little boys and girls, at least here, are now tucked in their beds or heading there quickly and without argument. I kid you not.

I don't know how many years ago it started but we've been out here now for fifteen. It's getting too big out here too fast but it's still nice to know some things have remained the same.

The distant wail of a siren and the screech of brakes signal the beginning. Children head out the door or are carried outside by their parents. Next, a booming amplified voice. At first it's not clear what's being bellowed but it doesn't take long. "HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Then the flashing lights atop the biggest engine from the volunteer fire station. On its back waving, hanging on for dear life clings Santa. Down every road, some dirt, his cry continues until it finally fades away, until next year.

"HO! HO! HO! ONE LAST CHECK, BOYS AND GIRLS, TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ALL BEING GOOD! MERRY CHRISTMAS! SWEET DREAMS BOYS AND GIRLS! HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"NOW, GO TO BED!"

2005

Where we are grew (and still is faster and faster I'm sad to say) and year after year, the sound of his firetruck's siren became increasingly distant. About two years ago or so while Hubby and Da Kid were decorating the Christmas tree, around 10 I said, "I guess Santa's not coming by tonight."

Da Kid stopped for a moment, thinking about how even he hadn't heard the sirens.

"I guess not," he said wistfully.

While Santa may not come by here on his firetruck anymore, that doesn't mean he's still not tearing up and down country roads on Christmas Eve clinging to one. Because it's gotten so big and busy here, I guess he had to go to the next county.

As a matter of fact, he even has a new volunteer "elf" as his driver.

"You're a little tall for an elf, aren't you?"

"MOTHER!"

A new volunteer elf who isn't known for having a particularly good sense of direction.

"You did get Santa back to the station safely, didn't you? I mean, you didn't get lost and . . . "

"MOTHER!