Christmas 1980

By: Jean Elaine Fuller
Date: Christmas 1980

'Twas the eve before Christmas
At Whitaker's castle
That our family all gathered
For the seasonal hassle.

Harold and Irene
Were hostess and host,
And the food was spread out
From pillar to post.

Donned in his sweatshirt,
Harold seemed ready
To celebrate the Christmas
Of 19 and 80.

The house decorated
With love by Irene;
And she asked us
To help try to keep it clean.

From all over the county
The children they came,
As Harold and Irene
Called them by name.

"Hi David, Hi Jackie
Hi Diana and Dan
Hi Randy and Dennis
Oh, there's Jimmy and Tam."

"Merry Christmas, Colombo,"
Mom said with a grin.
"Grab your wife Becky,
And bring her on in.

Karen and Mike were
the next to arrive,
Silently passing
the chattering five.

When next through the door
Came a red cap and black derby,
We knew in an instant
It was Connie and Herby.

Came Rod and came Vicki
From a place down the road.
And Rod looked for somewhere
To lighten his load.

In came the Fullers
all covered in snow.
Bruce in the lead
And Jean in the tow.

Jason and Teresa
Soon did appear
With Steve and Diane
as they brought up the rear.

As we opened our presents,
We sang Christmas carols,
That is, all us girls,
Not the fellas or Harold.

We talked and we ate
'Til our bellies did groan,
Then we all started out
For our own little homes.

But as we were leaving,
Mom stepped out the door
And begged us to listen
To her even more.

"I'm glad you could make it,"
She said, "It's been fun.
Merry Christmas to all,
and a Happy Eight-One."