Saturday, December 23, 2006

Santa Claus in All of Us

Got this from Susie last year after Christmas and I've been saving it. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, but between the computer problems (there IS light at the end of that tunnel *gg*) and trying to finish my baking (I didn't accomplish that - there will be New Years treats next week), it's been a hectic week.

A real adventure of Christmas...
I think this ought to be required for all Grandparents who have an eight year old grandchild..
I am sure the world would be better off. 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 neverw ent 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 it of $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!


Tonights movie: The Santa Claus 2

16 comments:

Brandy said...

*sniff, sniff* Awwww, that's so sweet.
I'm not sure, but I think my Daughter (she's 11) knows that her Dad and I are Santa's helpers and it's so sad because it means my little girl is growing up.
Sorry to hear you didn't get your baking done tonight. Also very sorry to hear your computer is bugging you again, when are you going to tell us what all the hints are about!!???? Have a good Saturday!

Bailey Stewart said...

It's been right in front of you all week. *gg* Raine and Bebo are the only ones who know. *vbg*

Brandy said...

HA! Got it. I noticed it the other day but thought it was advertising for the avatars. YAY!!!!!!

Joely Sue Burkhart said...

What a wonderful story! I have tears in my eyes.

Susan Rix said...

(((Bailey))) Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us. What beautiful memories you have to cherish!
May Santa bring you a magical Christmas.
Love, hugs and Christmas blessings,
Sue :-)

Sandy J said...

Wonderful story, Bailey!

I am clueless about the hints? So let's have it! Please?

Bailey Stewart said...

Sandy - Christa has indicated that she's catching on. Brandy has "gotten" it, so you'll just have to be patient Missy. Were you one of those "shaking the presents before Christmas" kids? As I said before, it's been right in front of y'all this entire time. *gg* I'm so excited!!!!!!!!

Carol M said...

That's a beautiful story!

Happy Holidays, Bailey and everyone!

Christa said...

I had to hide my son's present because not only is he a shaker but also a peeker.

I loved that story. It was so heartwarming.

catslady said...

I think I got it lol.

Touching story and I think it's very true. We need to hear it more than once a year :)

Anonymous said...

I always love stories like that.

I got baking done...and ate it all already. Sigh... I think all Santa really wants from us this year is a mochatini or a glass of eggnog spiked with bourbon.

Toni Anderson said...

Lovely :)
My daughter already suspects. Yikes. Had to go to extra special Santa lengths this year to try and fox her...

Jordan Summers said...

Love, Love, LOVE this story. Merry Christmas, Bailey. :)

Michele said...

Merry Christmas Bailey.
Hope you stay healthy and that Santa is good to you - in whatever way you need.
Hugs!

Dru said...

Bailey, that is a beautiful story. Hmm, I think I figured out the hint as well. Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

I'm too dense to figure out the clues, but the good news is that I totally understood that wonderful Christmas story :)