Santa.

So most of you know about my Santa Claus "depression".  My sis just sent me this, and although I have read it often over the years, it really hit home this time.

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-dollarbill, 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 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 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.


Comments

Pam said…
that's a great story. my eyes are a lil watery right now :)
Rhea said…
Thank you for sharing that story. That was wonderful. And just the right thing to get me into the Christmas spirit.
Ash said…
Crying. Again.

What is up with you SiTSas!?

Sniff.
angi_b72 said…
teary eyed...great story!
Crazy Momma said…
Oh man! I'm all weepy now!

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Aunt Julie said…
What a wonderful parable of the season. Thanks for giving me that extra *goose* to get With the Spirit!
Amanda in GA said…
Thanks! This is a good one to share with my boys.
Amy said…
That is such a wonderful story. It made my night. Thank you for sharing.
Heather said…
I love that story.

And you, for posting it.

This is truly what the spirit of Christmas is all about.
CaraBee said…
That was so wonderful! I honestly got goosebumps when I read the last paragraph. A good reminder that Christmas is about giving.
Kelsey said…
What a beautiful story. I just mailed a Christmas present to two girls who have Lyme disease and won't be getting much for Christmas. I'm glad to be one of Santa's helpers too!
The Christmas spirit lives here! Beautiful story!
Unknown said…
That story made me cry! So sweet...
Susie said…
That's a sweet story:-)
S Club Mama said…
Do you have to tell such a sweet story when I'm pregnant. I'm flooding our apartment! Thanks!
Julie said…
What a great story I love being a secret santa helper. My sunday school kids bring hats and mittens to match our honor society kids at the high school's shoe's and socks drive and then we add a toy and play santa. what great lessons are learned playing santa's helper. And who would start a crazy rumor like that:)
have a great Christmas
Thanks for the great story
julie
jori-o said…
I've never heard that one before! I love me a good story about the Magic of Christmas. Lovely! Thanks for passing it along.
Nicole said…
I never read thos before, but it is just too true.
Alison said…
That is a wonderful story. What an awesome grandma (and the lady at the store!) Now I feel like yelling, "Santa IS real!" (But I won't, because I am not crazy enough to wake up my kids.)
Anonymous said…
That is beautiful! I've never read it before! I will need to tuck that one away for my boy! Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous said…
It is far too early in the week and in the morning to post a story that's going to induce tears! That was sweet ;)

Seriously, though, thanks for sharing!
Heather said…
It's entirely too early to be crying this hard. I haven't heard this story!!! What a sweet reminder.
Lula! said…
I've never heard this story...but hey, thanks for making me cry before 9 am. I love you.
Live.Love.Eat said…
Oh goodness. I thought I was a dork for having tears in my eyes but I see I am not the only one. Love that story!!!!!!
Sandy said…
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story:)
mommytoalot said…
That story makes me cry every time I read it
thanks for the reminder
xo
What a beautiful story! I will remember it always...thanks for sharing! xo..deb
Sunshine said…
What a great story! I am going to tuck it away for when my kiddos come home crying that there is no Santa.

Thank you...
Swirl Girl said…
whaddya mean - there's no Santa?
Ashley said…
Wow.. that is one good Grandma
Amy said…
Love that story! I'm am teary eyed!
Anonymous said…
Wow. That's all I can muster right now. Wow.
Fifi Flowers said…
GREAT STORY! LOVE it! That is what this season is all about! I don't care if I ever get a Christmas present... I much prefer to see the look on the face of others when they receive a special treasure big or small.
ENJOY the holiday season!
Fifi
WheresMyAngels said…
Oh that is a very good one! Very inspiring!
debi9kids said…
OMGosh. I am crying. That is just wonderful and such a great way to show it. (the questions are headed my way this year with three of my boys and I think i may choose to follow your grandmother's lead. Thank you!)
The Rambler said…
Thank you for stopping by today and the cyber hugs...they help more than most know...YOU at SITS are just the most amazing AWESOME-est bloggers/people I've met.
Anonymous said…
What a story....thanks
The Blonde Duck said…
I stopped over from SITS. I love that story! It just warmed my heart. You made my morning. :)
Just stopping by your blog.I am new to SITS!!!That psot really got me in to the christmas moos thanks for the post!!
Jenners said…
That was really lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Rachel said…
beautiful story. much needed after frighteningly awful trip to crowded Target. Bah-humbug erased!
What a wonderful story. Thank you!
Did you share the story with your son? I think that is how the magic continues - when they can become such a part of it all. Because even when they are 8 - they can make a difference to someone else...
Unknown said…
Awww, I am crying too. This is such a beautiful story. I love it.
Kristy said…
what a wonderful story. thank you so much for sharing it with us all SITSta!
Jonette said…
Your grandmother was a great woman. wish there were more people like her... I bet that would make the next generation help make the world a better place.
Donn24g said…
Absolutely loved that story. It really captures what christmas is all about! I've never read it before, i think i am going to remember it always.
Jen Sue Wild said…
I love this story!
It always puts a smile on my face!
Anonymous said…
Awwww...don't be depressed.

Just go run up a curb. You'll feel better.

Love ya!
Tenakim said…
it's reminiscent of Christmas Shoes which makes me cry like a baby EVERY time!
Kay Bratt said…
Oh my..that story made me teary...
Ginger said…
This is beautiful, and a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is all about!
Anonymous said…
Oh, that's lovely. My son just now wants to go have a chat with Santa. He's 3 and told me he won't sit on his lap because it's creepy but he'll talk to him and give him a hearty handshake.
Tamara Jansen said…
What a lovely story :)
Unknown said…
What a great story! Santa lives! ;)
Anonymous said…
This is the second Santa story I have read in two days that has made me cry. What an excellent way to handle that horrible rumor that Santa is not real. Being Santa's helper is one of my greatest joys in life.
Joanna said…
I just snotted myself. Sniff!

Polar Express has got to be the best Christmas movie ever.
KatBouska said…
What do you guys do?? Synchronize your posts?? I'm blubbering idiot over here with tears for Santa Claus running down my cheeks.

Stop it!
KatBouska said…
What do you guys do?? Synchronize your posts?? I'm blubbering idiot over here with tears for Santa Claus running down my cheeks.

Stop it!
KatBouska said…
What do you guys do?? Synchronize your posts?? I'm blubbering idiot over here with tears for Santa Claus running down my cheeks.

Stop it!
What a wonderful story! That totally made me cry. :) Your grandma rocks.
Hepburn Hilton said…
Uff! I don't have children myself, but I can imagine how it can be sad to "loose" the innocense that comes with believing in santa. Does he at least still have the easterbunny??

I am alos tagging you to play along in this fun fact meme, hope you will play. Here are my answers and the rules.

*C
Dee said…
Thats a beautiful story
Unknown said…
I love that story. Had never read it before. Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,
Michelle
www.outoftheboxsampler.com

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