Twas the night...
(My apologies ahead of time to Clement Clarke Moore for this parody)
Twas the week before Christmas and all through the nation, firefighters were on duty in each and every station.
Some were career, some volunteer, and some were on-call their job to help others each one and all.
The apparatus was parked in the stations with care, in the hope that they would not have to respond and could stay right there.
The hope was sincere, no fires on the holiday maybe folks would prevent them if there was any way.
The firefighters all spoke of all the firehouse pranks, that had been pulled on folks of all ranks. They laughed and they smiled as they told all of the old stories, but none of them shared some of their true worries.
They did not speak of the fires they have had, they wanted no thoughts of anything bad. They all knew what they had witnessed over the years, they had shared and cried with each other through fears and the tears.
They had just settled down for a special Christmas eve meal, when the box was struck, another meal interrupted, they were out of luck. The dispatch called out Engine 1 engine 2, ladder one goes too! The rescue and chief were called as well to slide down the pole and answer the bells.
The rushed down the street to find what was the matter, would they need big hoselines, or maybe the ladder? They arrived at the scene as quick as a wink, and what they saw gave them pause to think.
The man that had met them was jolly and plump, a right jolly old elf, who might have had more egg nog then he should have drank himself. He guided them upstairs to his kitchen, where the turkey had burned black, the room itself was filled with large sacks.
The captain looked around and said this place is a mess, the old man began to laugh and speak to himself, he said he would take it up and yell at his elves. This call we were on was very strange indeed, it seemed like we were dreaming of a place we all need.
An escape from this world in a place where dreams can be real, and no matter how bad things are, good is all that you feel. As I looked at the magic all around this place, I saw myself as a child with a smile on my face. I remembered a time when Christmas stirred me in a way, a way I was now feeling even today.
The apartment went on forever with room after room, filled with lights and presents and toys for all ages of girls and boys. As we checked for extension and cleared all the smoke I listened to the captain as he spoke.
"Now sir there are too many people in here, the occupancy limit is high, The piles of gifts are packed to the sky" You have a day to fix this violation, I will have fire prevention call you when they return from vacation".
The old man said there was nothing to worry about, the captain did not have to yell and to shout. This place would be empty and all cleaned by tomorrow, nobody would know he was here and there would be no sorrow.
We all listened and grinned, because that was not possible, the old man was confused, that task would be colossal.
We went down the stairs and sounded the "recall", we smiled as we returned to our trucks from this call.
When we got back to the station I was making out the report for the cause, I typed the occupant name it was S. Claus. I thought I was crazy and was about to ask., but I smiled and continued writing and finished my task.
I did not mentioned it to the crew, and only mentioned it to you.
Why should I question Christmas and it's magical season, I thought to myself there is no reason.
You can believe the tale or not, it is up to you, But there are more that believe than just a few.
I wish you all a safe holiday season, and please smile and believe for no apparent reason.