Merry Christmas

[Angie]

Explanation of Santa Story

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car". Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.

The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

[Julie Mathies]

Awesome story, Angie!! Zachary still believes in Santa, OR, he's not telling me otherwise. I think this will be the last year, though. Next year he moves to Middle School.....I'm sure the older kids will tell all. However, I'll try my hardest to keep him believing....he loves "The Santa Clause" movie and always says "Believing is Seeing."

When Cathy & I were very young, we had this old Weeping Willow tree in the yard on the side of our house. One year before Christmas, we saw an elf dart from that tree across the yard to hide behind a huge pine. We chased, but never found him. Of course, that was what my DAD led us believe, and for many years we really thought we saw one. I'm sure it was probably just a squirrel, but we really thought we saw an elf. We tell the kids that story all the time. Cathy's husband says we need Therapy!! But, it makes for funny conversation, and hopefully keeps the kids wondering....

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!! Don't forget to hang up your stockings, and leave some goodies for Santa!!!

[JerryFish]

Hope everyone has a GREAT one!!!!!

[ccoopermetz]

Two years ago Olivia learned the truth from an adult who didnt value the importance of keeping that magic alive. It was a heartbreaking Christmas for both of us that year. But since then, Olivia loves watching Jade enjoy the magic of Santa and now we go together to buy the pet's gifts from Santa and she still gets presents from Santa under the tree. The stuff she 'asks for' is always from mom and the things she mentions throughout the year is what Santa gives her. I literally shop all year so that there are those surprises under the tree. Olivia is a special kid in that even though she had that magic taken away, she still lets me and now even herself enjoy the spirit of Santa. I especially love how she revels in Jade's excitement. I tell my kids that as long as you believe in Santa there will be presents from him under the tree. I think they know that is true!

[madonnatoneygiacona]

As the old saying goes:



If u believe, u shall receive.




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