The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

A New Jerr-Dan Under the Tree

Description

The Night Before Christmas, or A Visit from Jerr-Dan

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land

Children were dreaming of a nice new Jerr-Dan.

A new wrecker or carrier, with hooks, lights and bells,

Air brakes and diesel and air ride as well.

Papa’s old wrecker was in the garage,

A Holmes 480, a chain driven hodgepodge.

The old truck would clank, and it puffed out such smoke

And when the chains tightened, why the new cars just broke.

Ma fussed and she fumed, for the future she saw

Meant a truck with a wheel lift and less work for Pa.

“Sleep a bit now, you’ll need it,” she said.

“You know the phone rings when you’ve just gone to bed.”

They shifted and settled and dozed by the fire,

For they never quite rested, being For Hire.

Then in the storage lot there arose such a clatter

They ran to the window to see what was the matter.

And what to their tired, sleepy eyes should appear,

But a red Jerr-Dan truck pulled by tiny reindeer.

The driver wore clothes so reflective and bright

The moon made him shine, making day out of night.

“He’s a wrecker man, Ma,” shouted Pa in his glee,

“See those boots, and his clothes, why he’s dressed just like me!”

The jolly old man was silent but quick —

He unhitched the reindeer with a yank and a click,

And turning he gave them a nod and a wink,

His paperwork shining with fresh Christmas ink.

“Oh, my dear,” shouted Pa. “You’ve got us a truck!

I never thought that we’d have such luck.”

Ma smiled as she hugged him. “Yes, dear, you’re right —

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

(With apologies to Clement Moore, and to anyone who reads this post. The Grinch in the photos is Mike, and Keysha is Santa’s Helper.)