[Nfbc-info] Florida Christmas

[Frida Aizenman]

 From my respectable pack rat file:
[Nfbc-info] December Bulletin
NFBC Bulletin
December 2004
To: All Chapter Presidents and members
Happy Holidays from the NFBC staff

’Twas the Night

’Twas the night before Christmas, Hanukah and Ramadan
When all through the land
Federationists were stirring
A party was planned.

Proclamations were hung
By the chimney with care
In hopes that blind people
Soon would be there.

But some were still nestled
All snug in their beds
While visions of accessible point-of-sale machines
Danced in their heads.

But out on the lawn
There arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the matter.

Away to the window
I flew like a flash
I got there so quickly
I hoped not to crash.

But what to my wondering
Ears should I hear
But a group of Federationists
All shouting, “We’re here!”

With a little old driver
So lively and quick
I thought for a moment
This must be some trick.

With white canes and guide dogs
These Federationists came
They were singing and dancing
And called out my name.

And then in a twinkling
I heard at the door
Bay Area, Beach Cities,
CABS and much more.

The Chapter on Aging
Followed the Diabetes Network,
They greeted Pasadena
Then turned with a jerk.

They were dressed all quite fancy
 From their heads to their feet
Guiding Lights and High Desert
No one missed a beat.

Monterey and Mt. Diablo
Brought a jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him
In spite of myself.

North San Diego, Orange County
And OCB were just fine
Parents and Pathfinders
And Napa brought wine.

River City, San Fernando
San Francisco by the Bay
Shasta Cascade, San Joaquin
Met Santa Barbara on the way.

Tri-Valley brought gifts
For new chapters two
West Los Angeles members
And the chapter CAGDU

Country Village brought cookies
That were topped with a cherry
Federationists had gathered
For a party so merry.

As the wassail cups emptied
We savored the last bite
Federationists were mingling
The evening’s just right.

The music grew softer
It was time to take flight
Happy holidays to all
And to all a good night!

(Nancy Burns)
###

Nancy Burns, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
ph: 818 . 558 . 6524 fax: 818 . 729 . 7930

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Nfbc-info at NFBCAL.ORG
https://www.NFBCAL.ORG/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-infoOn 12/19/2014 7:56 AM, 
Nancy Lynn via Nfbc-info wrote:
> Florida Christmas
> By Tim Hendel
> 'Twas the day before Christmas, and the kids on the beach
> were playing with frisbees just beyond the tide's reach.
> The mommies were shopping, all covered with sweat
> 'Twas the hottest December in Florida yet.
> And out at the airport the jet planes were landing
> With thick coats and suitcases tourists were standing.
> From Boston and Cleveland, New York and La Grange
> Saying, "Just take it easy till you're used to the change!"
> And I in my shorts, and the kids in their trunks
> Were combing the beach and looking for junk.
> I found three lost coins and a broken cassette,
> But my little boy cried, for he'd found nothing yet.
> Then something appeared way out on the water.
> The first one to see it was someone's small daughter.
> It came floating in, an old shrimper's boat
> So loaded with stuff that it hardly could float.
> It was manned by a captain all wrinkled and old
> But with eyes that were clear and a stare that was bold.
> Long ago it was painted a bright shiny green,
> And the name "La Gitana" could barely be seen.
> The paint now was faded, and the oars they were cracked.
> It was up to the gunnels from the weight in the back.
> It came through the shallows and scraped on the sand
> And the children came running just to lend him a hand.
> They pulled the boat up, and the man took a line
> And tied up to a palm tree, just taking his time.
> Then the stuff from the back he began to unpack
> Boxes and presents in water proof sacks.
> There were dolls for the girls and cars for the boys
> And big blasting radios that made such a noise.
> There was stuff for the parents and more for the teens
> Like computers and TV's with bright little screens.
> The boat now was empty and easy to push
> As it entered the sea with a glad little whoosh.
> The man took his oars and paddled off south
> And I wanted so bad to go with him myself.
> His last parting words, now his work was all done,
> "Feliz Navidad, don't stay out in the sun!"
>
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