Sunday, December 25, 2011

There is No Santa Claus

(bing.com)
 
My sister-in-law forwarded this to me and I think it is so sweet. 
 
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 rumour 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 neighbours, 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 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 rumours 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.

Author Unkown


 
Merry Christmas!
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23 comments :

Two Shades of Pink said...

This is the most wonderful story. I am so happy to read this on Christmas.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.

middle child said...

Beautiful story. Can you imagine if everyone were to follow this example?

Donna said...

SMILE :) Merry Christmas

Jemsmom said...

That was absolutely beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Karen said...

so precious!!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story..And isn't that what it's all about..Santa lives on..
MeRrY ChRiStMaS..

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Merry Christmas to you an your family!
I Loved your post today. Thank You for sharing that story.

Tardevil said...

Yep, we ARE on his team! Hope you and your family had a wonderful one!

It's me said...

Merry x-mas darling......love and christmas kisses from me...xxx...

My Beautiful World said...

Love this post thank you. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas day. So nice to meet you just found your beautiful blog and so happy I did. I have enjoyed looking around and I'm now following you, if you find a spare minute hope you visit me sometime and follow back so nice to meet new friends. Sending you special wishes for the Christmas holidays and New Year I’m looking forward to keeping in touch in 2012.

Always Wendy

Country Charm said...

Beautiful illustration!

Warmed my heart...Betty @ Country Charm

mary said...

beautiful!

Small Town Girl said...

This was beautiful, my girls are going to hear it now. They are 11 and 3 and just helped Mom take gifts to kids a few streets over who were not going to get any gifts. This story will put the bow on that experience.

1 Funky Woman said...

Big tears with this one. My heart started beating faster and faster with each sentence. This one is a keeper to pass on, thank you!

Megan

Anonymous said...

Oh Christie...thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. I'm going to share a link to it on your blog on Take Six's FB page! Happy New Year!

Denise said...

Thank you Christie, for sharing this story. That is the truth ~ we are all His hands and feet bringing cheer and restoring faith in a harsh and sometimes cruel world.

Babs said...

What a sweet Christmas story. Thanks for sharing and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Unknown said...

Absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing, I haven't heard it before! "I Believe!"

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

What a precious story!!! :)

Holly said...

This is the best story ever! Could I get your permission to share it?
Grandma's are the best, aren't they?

Chy said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory. Santa does live in all of us, especially at this time of year, if we let him!

Holly said...

Thanks Christie!! That was fast!! And thanks for your sweet words!! Bloggers are the best!!!

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