Ranger Bob Remembers Christmas 1953

 

(Editor's Note:   This wonderful ode to a Christmas past arrived in my email in-box yesterday.  The poet is my good friend, Ranger Bob, who reminisces in rhymed verse about his questions regarding the existence of Santa Claus when Bob was a mere sprout of a boy growing up in Wheeling, Missouri.  The poet has given his kind permission for me to share his work here.  Happy holidays!  Pa Rock)

Christmas in Wheeling, 1953

by Bob Randall

Twas the night before Christmas

In a farmhouse near Wheeling.
Little Bobby was worried
As he stared at the ceiling.

He should be sleeping, 
But he was conflicted.
Could the stories be true,
Those things that Saint Nick did?

Was Santa Claus real?
Some kids said, “No”.
Jim Coburn was doubtful
But what did he know?

Ike was uncertain,
Gordon, a believer,
Darrell said “Maybe”.
He’s such a deceiver.

Marvin hoped not.
It was beyond his control.
If Santa was real
He’s get a sock full of coal.

Neither Linda nor Joyce
Gave it much thought.
They were so nice
They could not be naught … y.

Sleep came late
And then it was morning.
Should he rush to the tree
With its tinsel adorning?
 
He peeked ‘round the corner
Expecting the worst.
His sisters still sleeping
He got there first.

Presents were there
Right under the tree.
The question remained.
How could this be?

For we had no chimney,
The fireplace kind.
We had a furnace
Putting Santa in a bind.

Bobby asked the expert.
Dad was the man.
He built the house
So he had a plan.

He unlocked the door
Just before bed.
Santa walked right in
Fresh from his sled.

All was forgotten.
Answered with a grin.
There were presents to open.
Now, where to begin?

(Every year the same question is asked by little kids.  Every year, the answer is there for the believing.  Every year, a new batch of kids asks the same question.  I asked the same question in 1953.  I remember going to a Christmas party at church early that December and Santa Claus was there.  I knew something was wrong.  First, it wasn't Christmas Eve, second, he didn't arrive in a sleigh, and last, it was Benny Litttrell dressed up in a Santa suit and a bad beard.  Somehow those stories of how the real Santa needed to have helpers just didn't sound right to me. Was everyone lying to me?)