Diane Chapman's 'Night Before Christmas'

Diane’s Final Festive Run… An Imagining!



Read Diane's blog of her challenge here



‘'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, when all through the house

Not creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

By Noah’s bed, the stocking was hung with care

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

And Noah was nestled all snug in his bed,

While visions of ‘Ben 10’ danced in his head.

Chris was watching some Christmas Eve’ crap

And Diane was striving to keep from a nap.

When the clock came to midnight, they both stopped their chatter,

Diane sprang from the couch to deal with the matter;

She tied up her laces as quick as a flash,

Thinking of all the sponsorship cash.

Out her front door, she stepped onto the snow,

Looking out at the lights of the houses below.

Clad in a red suit, with orange t-shirt beneath,

Her neighbours looked on in pure disbelief.

Bidding farewell to her husband and child

Diane was grateful the weather was mild;

Not nearly as frozen as the days gone before

As the thermometer read a warm minus four.

Starting her Nike+, so lively and quick,

She ran through the street dressed just like St Nick.

More rapid than Rudolf the reindeer was she,

As Diane set off for a final PB.

When at the end of the road, there did suddenly appear,

A miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

She knew in a moment that it was St Nic.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And Diane laughed when she saw him, in spite of herself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Let Diane know she had nothing to dred.

“Is that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen?

Oh… and Comet, Cupid and Donner and Blitzen?”

The man dressed in rouge, stepped down from his sleigh;

He stood in front of Diane, laughing away

“Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho”, he chuckled with glee

“I see that you do recognise me.

Why Diane, I am the real Santa Claus

And I’m here to help you with your festive Cause.”

Winking at Di, his eyes gave a twinkle,

He smiled big and wide, showing his dimple.

Then, speaking not a word, he went straight to his work,

Pulling a laptop free from his sleigh with a jerk.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DianeChapman he typed into the pad,

And he sponsored Diane as much as he had,

Now Santa’s work is voluntary as we know,

But even the smallest amount has far to go.

Diane thanked him so much and wished him the best

As he sprang back on his sleigh and set off to the west.

Di finished her 24th run for the children in need

At Martin House Hospice on that cold Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, Santa continued the rest of his rounds

Feeling glad he could help with just a few pounds;

And he bellowed from his sleigh as he flew out of sight:

 “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”