Today, I made Santa cry!
For three years now, we have brought the LO to see Santa Claus at the mall. And, aside from the first year when she was too young to understand anything, she has had a major meltdown because, quite frankly, she’s afraid of him. In fact, last year’s meltdown was so bad she never actually saw Santa, and he was no help because he just sat there waiting for us to leave and the next child to come like an assembly line. I think maybe he was actually the Grinch in disguise.
But I had heard positive things about another Santa, closer to home, so one night after daycare last year I decided to drive by and give him a try since there was nobody waiting in line. Well, inevitably, she was still afraid and the tears came pouring down. But there was something special about the jolly old man in front of us. He was calm, he was patient, he was sincere, he was... no word of a lie, Santa. He has the bluest eyes, the warmest heart, and the kindest spirit. We managed to get a decent enough picture and I decided that this year we wouldn’t be visiting Mr. Grinch, we would be seeing the real deal once again.
A few weeks ago, on a bitter cold day, DH and I took turns standing in line outside Santa’s cabin waiting for our turn to visit. The LO was happy, until she saw who we were seeing, and another meltdown ensued. We snapped a quick family picture, and I made sure to praise Santa for his patience once again and wished him a Merry Christmas. But, as we walked away discussing how incredibly sweet he is, I knew I wanted to something more for him. And, it didn’t hit me until today.
You see, this year I sent an email to a number of people asking them not to exchange gifts with us. I suggested, instead, to use the money they would have spent on us to make a donation to charity. And, in turn, I have been doing the same. But all of the gifts being exchanged at work today got me thinking.
Santa gives to so many, in so many ways, but who takes care of Santa?
So, this afternoon, with a gift bag full of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and cookies too, I marched up to Santa’s cabin all alone and asked to have a word with him, even though I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to say. As he finished up with the family before me, the elves informed him he had another customer and he turned to me and smiled…
“Hello Mommy, what can I help you with today?”
I froze for a minute, and then my inner child came pouring out. At first I told him that he probably didn’t remember, but I had visited him a couple of weeks prior with my little girl. He thought for a moment and suggested that I had come with my husband too. I said yes, and he said he vaguely remembered. Whether he did or not, I laughed and said “Well, you are Santa after all” and he chuckled. Then I told him how much I genuinely appreciated his efforts during this season. How much I admire his ability to remain calm. How I welcome his gentle nature, and the time I have seen him devote to families ahead of us whose children wanted to spend hours talking with him. And how I hope next year, our LO can see the kindness in his eyes and trust him, even just for a minute. He thanked me, and stood up to give me the biggest hug. And that was when I remembered the gift bag. I handed it to him and he was surprised. Tears came to his eyes. I told him that he gives so much to everyone this season and that I wanted to give back to him. He sat back down and told me I made his heart skip a beat. He opened the gift and held it to his chest, patting the seat beside him. He suggested we take a picture and I obliged. In fact, I was giddy! It has been a long time since I have sat alone with Santa, but it made me smile… and then it brought tears to my eyes as well!
I stood up, thanked the elves for keeping the next family waiting outside while we shared this moment, and wished everyone a wonderful holiday season. I promised him that we would be back next year to see our Santa, and he said that he would see us on Christmas Eve first.
And, you know what? I think I believe him!
But I had heard positive things about another Santa, closer to home, so one night after daycare last year I decided to drive by and give him a try since there was nobody waiting in line. Well, inevitably, she was still afraid and the tears came pouring down. But there was something special about the jolly old man in front of us. He was calm, he was patient, he was sincere, he was... no word of a lie, Santa. He has the bluest eyes, the warmest heart, and the kindest spirit. We managed to get a decent enough picture and I decided that this year we wouldn’t be visiting Mr. Grinch, we would be seeing the real deal once again.
A few weeks ago, on a bitter cold day, DH and I took turns standing in line outside Santa’s cabin waiting for our turn to visit. The LO was happy, until she saw who we were seeing, and another meltdown ensued. We snapped a quick family picture, and I made sure to praise Santa for his patience once again and wished him a Merry Christmas. But, as we walked away discussing how incredibly sweet he is, I knew I wanted to something more for him. And, it didn’t hit me until today.
You see, this year I sent an email to a number of people asking them not to exchange gifts with us. I suggested, instead, to use the money they would have spent on us to make a donation to charity. And, in turn, I have been doing the same. But all of the gifts being exchanged at work today got me thinking.
Santa gives to so many, in so many ways, but who takes care of Santa?
So, this afternoon, with a gift bag full of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and cookies too, I marched up to Santa’s cabin all alone and asked to have a word with him, even though I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to say. As he finished up with the family before me, the elves informed him he had another customer and he turned to me and smiled…
“Hello Mommy, what can I help you with today?”
I froze for a minute, and then my inner child came pouring out. At first I told him that he probably didn’t remember, but I had visited him a couple of weeks prior with my little girl. He thought for a moment and suggested that I had come with my husband too. I said yes, and he said he vaguely remembered. Whether he did or not, I laughed and said “Well, you are Santa after all” and he chuckled. Then I told him how much I genuinely appreciated his efforts during this season. How much I admire his ability to remain calm. How I welcome his gentle nature, and the time I have seen him devote to families ahead of us whose children wanted to spend hours talking with him. And how I hope next year, our LO can see the kindness in his eyes and trust him, even just for a minute. He thanked me, and stood up to give me the biggest hug. And that was when I remembered the gift bag. I handed it to him and he was surprised. Tears came to his eyes. I told him that he gives so much to everyone this season and that I wanted to give back to him. He sat back down and told me I made his heart skip a beat. He opened the gift and held it to his chest, patting the seat beside him. He suggested we take a picture and I obliged. In fact, I was giddy! It has been a long time since I have sat alone with Santa, but it made me smile… and then it brought tears to my eyes as well!
I stood up, thanked the elves for keeping the next family waiting outside while we shared this moment, and wished everyone a wonderful holiday season. I promised him that we would be back next year to see our Santa, and he said that he would see us on Christmas Eve first.
And, you know what? I think I believe him!
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| Photo borrowed from Facebook, Quartier Dix/30 |
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