The shrimp boat looked like a Currier and Ives print with a single strand of white lights outlining the fifty three year old hull. The bulbs sparkled and reflected in the calm waters of Skull Creek and the beams of a mostly full moon silhouetted this soulful white vessel against the weather beaten dock. All was quiet on this special Christmas Eve, but that wasn’t the case earlier.
During the day all sorts of items were being delivered to Hudson’s dock…..sacks of corn, bushels of apples, bags of assorted nuts and even blocks of salt. The Captain was taking on special cargo under the request of a very special guy, St. Nick. It seems that over the years the “Rotund One’s” sleigh had been overloaded because of a larger Island population. Golf clubs had squeezed out goodies for his special friends, “The Island Critters” and he felt guilty. So this year was “make up” time.
Santa’s arrival was shaky at best, as Rudolph’s crew banked left and made a precarious landing in the tiny parking lot. The “old boy” made a bee line to the oyster bar for a quick bowl of his favorite chowder….and with Rudolph along for the ride, they were off.
Escorted by a family of smiling dolphins by water and a flock of gulls by air the entourage began their Intra-Coastal Holiday voyage. Santa rode at the bow looking like a masthead of an eighteenth century schooner. What a sight he was, with salt air blowing through his long white locks and laughing heartily as a gull made a circus type shrimp catch. Even brown pelicans got into the act showing off their dare devil dives, resulting in a hearty applause.
At every stop he was greeted by families of masked raccoons, possums, squirrels and deer. Proud parents would provide loving encouragement as the little ones shyly accepted their precious gifts. Loving hugs were also plentiful, even to a cute baby skunk.
The hold was empty, the makeshift sleigh headed for home and a bright star suddenly appeared above. It illuminated Santa’s face and guided them through the tricky waters of Calibogue Sound. Santa’s deeds, it seems, had been appreciated by more than the Island Creatures he loved so much.
May God’s light shine on you this Christmas and throughout the New Year.
Joe and Mary
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