I have fond memories of this song. I think it?s been around for years but I didn?t hear it until we?d been living in Columbia, Maryland, a few years. One of the radio stations began to play Christmas music around the clock and I was hooked on that station.
We were struggling financially that fall. The health insurance premiums were going up where Rich worked and so I began browsing the want ads in the papers. I had an idea that a staff interpreter job would be more advantageous to us in terms of the benefits.
One Sunday in November, I saw a posting for a WIC (a supplemental food program for Women Infants & Children) in a medical setting. One of the requirements was fluency in sign language. It sounded almost ideal! When I called for more information, I found out that a college degree was not required (hallelujah!) and that the medical center would pay for my training. There was a training coming up for the month of December and so I made an appointment for an interview.
The only drawback I could see was that it was in Baltimore and Rich?s job was near Washington DC. We only had one car. I found out that there was an express bus that ran from Columbia to downtown Baltimore. We decided it was worth a try and I went for the interview. The pay wasn?t all that great but the benefits more than made up for it. My hours would be from 8:30 to 4:30 four days a week. I accepted the job.
At first I loved it! Training began in west Baltimore. I was very familiar with the area. When I was a kid, we?d lived close enough so that this Edmondson Village neighborhood was where we?d go shopping. The area had deteriorated over the years. The place I was to be trained was new; it was going to become the new WIC Center for one of the sponsoring agencies. I knew I wouldn?t be working there but it sure was close by and I wouldn?t have minded. It seemed like this particular strip mall was trying to renovate itself.
The training was totally non stressful. I met a group of really nice people, coordinators from many different programs around the city. I was the only one who would be serving the deaf and they all were so impressed about it. I began to feel really good. We learned mandated procedures during that first week, all the things we were required to look for when we interviewed an applicant. Most of the time, applicants would qualify under one condition or another.
After that first week, we met either at the State Office Building in Baltimore or at a small church in the northeastern part of the city. Just about transportation: it was easiest for me to go to the State Office Building. The bus would take me right to the complex and it was easy to catch a bus to Columbia back home. It was totally secure. It was a little more complicated at the clinic in that small church. I would have to transfer to the bus to Columbia. It took a little longer but it was also okay.
I enjoyed going to that little clinic at the church. The secretary for the clinic had a big heart under a tough veneer. She?d play the station with Christmas music all day. She also sang ?Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer? anytime she went up or down the hall. It was hilarious. We would sing with her and it was just so much fun. I always thought the song was kind of stupid but now I really enjoyed it. I?m sure it was the atmosphere I enjoyed.
She'd been drinkin' too much egg nog,
And we'd begged her not to go.
But she'd left her medication,
So she stumbled out the door into the snow.
When they found her Christmas mornin',
At the scene of the attack.
There were hoof prints on her forehead,
And incriminatin' Claus marks on her back.
(chorus)
Now were all so proud of Grandpa,
He's been takin' this so well.
See him in there watchin' football,
Drinkin' beer and playin' cards with cousin Belle.
It's not Christmas without Grandma.
All the family's dressed in black.
And we just can't help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?
(chorus)
Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of pig.
And a blue and silver candle,
That would just have matched the hair in Grandma's wig.
I've warned all my friends and neighbours.
Better watch out for yourselves."
They should never give a license,
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
Walkin' home from our house, Christmas eve.
You can say there's no such thing as Santa,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.
I would do ?clinical? training two days out of the week. I learned how to complete the screening questions, how to do a finger stab to test the blood for low iron, how to do nutritional counseling, and how to cut the checks. I felt like I was contributing in a very positive way. I was up on that cloud nine clich?throughout the holiday season ? until the training classes broke for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Then I was in for a real surprise!