No, my house wasn't ablaze, nor did I require an EMS team.
But the fire trucks showed up last night in front of my house just the same.
When I heard the whirrr of the siren and blare of the horn, I wondered what was up.
Then it hit me.
So I scooped up my 6-month-old son and scurried out to the front porch, and there was the truck, lights ablaze and Santa himself sitting on the front bumper, greeting the neighborhood kids as they ran out to meet him.
Of course, my son had never seen Santa, being that this is his first Christmas. The sight of the red suit and hat and the snow-white beard was all he needed to get that "Whoaaaaa!" look of innocent wonder and amazement. Incidentally, the shiny red fire truck didn't hurt, either.
The Jolly Old Elf handed my son a little stuffed reindeer, whispered Merry Christmas in a sharp Southern drawl and was on his way.
That evening, I could hear the siren and horns from blocks away, as Santa and the firefighters made their way through neighborhoods throughout the area.
That's a first-class act right there. And they do so much throughout the year. I'm thankful for all the fire departments who are spreading a little holiday cheer to the children as well as keeping us safe throughout the year.
Well done.
CK Passante
Managing Editor
The Beaufort Gazette