‘Twas the Night Before

‘Twas the night before the holidays, when all through Carefree, not a creature was stirring, no jingling of keys. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Ken Templeton soon would be there. The residents were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of bocce ball danced in their heads. The staffs Gents in their tux, the staff Ladies in their gowns, had just closed down shop and were ready to paint the town.

When out at the parking lot there arose such a clatter, the residents sprang from their beds to see what was the matter. Away to the window, they flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave the luster of midday to objects below. When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, but Ken Templeton, himself, bringing a whole lot of cheer!

With a little old drive, so lively and quick, the residents questioned and pondered and thought it was a trick! More rapid than eagles, his staff they came, and he hugged and greeted them and called them by name: Now Debbie! Now Donna! Now Laura, Sandy and Renee! On, Harry and Maynor and Louie and Jeffrey! On, Francisca and Theo and Ed! To the top of the stairs! To the top of the wall! Spread some cheer! Spread it to all! As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet an obstacle, mount to the sky so up to the staircase, the staff , they ran, with a handful of cheer, to help with Ken’s plan. And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As they drew in their heads and was turning around, down the chimney Ken Templeton came with a bound! He was dressed in all fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of gift s he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin just started to grow. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly! He wasn’t chubby or plump, like right jolly old elves, but the residents laughed when they saw him, in spite of themselves. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He then sprang to his car, to his team he gave a whistle, and away they all left, like the down of a thistle. But they heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, “HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL, and to all a good night!”

From all of us here at Carefree…we hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!