By Lura Pitman, and Nancy Boothman

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Roundup,

Not a creature was stirring not even a pup.

The truck was plugged in so it would start without care,

For though it’s a holiday, Signal Peak Mines open all year.

This year was a hard one for mom and for dad.

The times they were “real” and inflation was bad.

The shelves of the stores were partially bare,

A shortage of goods, they say, for which to prepare.

“It’s this doggone Pandemic”, we heard or’ and or’.

Next year will be better, of that we are shore’.

So, mom made us popcorn to string on the tree,

“It’s like the ole’ days” she said to us with glee.

“An old-fashioned Christmas is good for our heart”.

So off to IGA and Van Dykes, made our start.

We purchased sugar and eggs that we beat,

Then made some cookies for Santa to eat.

“If Santa’s not hungry we’ll eat them up later”

She said, and then gave one to our little dog Gater.

“Since dad is at work, let’s get him something he’ll love.”

Off to Roundup Hardware to get him new gloves.

We stopped to sing carols and give granny a hug,

at the Sunflower Gardens where the residents were snug.

We want our neighbors to know that we cared,

So we gave them homemade cards that we prepared.

Mom told a story of children not so lucky,

“Now go gather some toys and your old rubber duckie”.

Donations we brought to Northern Treasures so others,

Could pick something to give to their sisters and brothers.

When dad got home we ate a fine stew.

He took us sledding and then drank his brew.

With his smelly feet propped up near the wood fire,

Us kids hoped that Santa remembered our desire.

In the Roundup Record & Winnett Times ad,

Was a statement from Santa about not being bad.

Mom read about Santa in an old interview,

From the year before, but it still rang true.

We watched Polar Express, Santa, and Elf,

We looked up to see our socks on the shelf.

They still were flat empty, but the tree, she was lit,

We kids were not hopeful as quietly we did sit.

Ma in her leggings, and dad in his ball cap,

Us kids were laying down for our Christmas Eve “nap”

With mugs now empty, our hot chocolate was gone,

My sister and I, we were starting to yawn.

And as the evening burned into the night,

We fell asleep, our dreams finally took flight,

Even though to stay awake, we had tried really hard,

It was only then that a noise came from the yard.

My sister woke first and she grabbed my shirt sleeve,

“Wake up! Wake up!, You will NOT believe!”

Rudolph’s nose was so bright as they flew out of sight,

We ran down the stairs with my trusty flashlight.

Sister saw first a new desk made of pine,

That had been crafted for her by Block Horse Design,

Then my heart skipped a beat when I saw my new earphones,

With Radio Shack stickers, I was thrilled to the bone.

Mom saw a sparkle and read her name with glee,

She got a Yogo Sapphire from Diane’s Jewelry,

Even dad was surprised when he saw his gift cards,

From A&A and Elite, to get work done on his cars.

How Santa shopped in Roundup I never will know,

And as I wondered and pondered, it started to snow.

The cookies Santa left behind with a note for us kids,

Said, “Thanks for the cookies, but I’m all full of Nibs.”

As we looked again at our stockings now full,

We realized that Christmas was so magical.

Now to all our dear friends and family alike,

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night.