Mike and Kate met us at 6pm, when our shift ended, and next was waiting in line for Santa. The line wasn't short, but it did move pretty quickly - quicker than I was expecting. Santa was GREAT!!! He was very with it and knew about all the toys the kids mentioned and he did a great job answering their requests without promising them anything. He is such a great Santa! He made sure to spend time with each child, so they all felt they got their opportunity to talk with him. I think Eli would have been okay with Santa skipping him, as shy as he is, but Santa made him talk and ask for what he wanted. When Eli wasn't saying anything Santa asked if he wanted pink underwear... or something like that... it got Eli talking. It was a very nice experience. : )
[love how Kate was looking at Santa ~ so happy she didn't cry]
[all looking... not all smiling, but looking]
[Rachel's "Santa-time"]
[Kate's "Santa-time"]
[Eli's "Santa-time"... I think this is when he wasn't talking]
[more of Eli's "Santa-time"]
[more of Kate checking out Santa]
After seeing Santa we went to supper at Fazoli's. Much to our surprise, Santa was there, too! We passed this Santa off as "Santa's helper" because the real Santa was at the mall. The Santa at Fazoli's was not nearly as good. He had no idea what toys the kids were talking about when they told him what they wanted... just not very with it. He just seemed a little rough to be Santa. The kids all ate great and we were home and in bed by about 8pm, which wasn't too bad. Busy, busy afternoon/evening.
So, this year I've been a little worried about Rachel asking me some difficult questions about Santa. So far it's been okay. But, not sure how much longer she'll believe. I got an email with this letter that I just love. It actually made me cry when I read it. Love it...
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Dear _________,
You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”
I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.
I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Dad helps, too.)
I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the Christmas magic stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.
This won’t make you Santa, though.
Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.
It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.
Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.
With full hearts, people like Dad and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.
I love you and I always will.
Mom
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