So, I happen to know Santa Claus. He's a pretty cool guy. He's done some amazing things over the years, and I'd like to share some of them with you.
Kindergarten Christmas in Recovery:
This is not as bad as it sounds. The year I was in kindergarten, I had tonsillitis. A lot. So, I had to have the darn things taken out. Before Christmas break. Before the holiday party. In kindergarten. I was bummed! However, in the present exchange, the person who drew my name gave me a coloring book and crayons to have with me in the hospital during my recovery. It was awesome. I know that Santa had a hand in making sure my Christmas was wonderful that year.
Christmas in June:
Santa is around all the time, not just at Christmas. One year for my birthday in June, I had one of the most wonderful Christmas experiences a girl with a summer birthday could have – Christmas dinner in June. In Florida. In a restaurant decorated for Christmas all year long. It was a place called The Paw Paw Tree, and my grandfather Higham made a big to-do about it. I was smiling ear-to-ear the entire meal. We had turkey and ham and stuffing and mashed potatoes and pie and apple cider...it was amazing! Since I almost never spent a Christmas with Grandpa Higham, it was a true blessing. That was Santa’s way of reminding all of us that love of family is important.
Santa knows WHERE you are for Christmas:
Santa can find you if he needs to. One year we were going to be traveling to Ohio to visit my grandparents, and we were worried that Santa wouldn't be able to get us our presents. We wrote him a letter to let him know, and he came through! While we were at Sunday School and Church the day before our trip, Santa dropped off our presents early so we could enjoy our family Christmas.
Similarly, another year, Santa managed to find us AT our grandparents' house. He even managed to put out all the presents under the tree in the living room WHERE WE WERE SLEEPING. Amazing.
Santa sends you what you need, even if it is far away:
I was let go from a job, for the very first time in my life, on December 11, 2007. I had just financed a vehicle and been proposed to in September that year. I was planning a wedding, and a future, with JR, and I had no idea if any of it was going to work out. I was devastated. I talked with my family often during that time, and my kid brother, with whom I have always had (and will always have) a close, special, different relationship than my sisters, said he would drive up on Christmas day with his daughter Courtney so I could be with family at Christmas. I was so touched, and excited, and weepy... It's quite a haul from NW Tennessee to Chicagoland...especially in December. It was late and cold and dark when my brother called to let me know he was close by. I talked him through the winding road back to my apartment, and I ran down the stairs to grab my brother and niece in a big hug. What happened instead is pure Christmas magic. I got to the bottom of the stairs as the truck was pulling up. Instead of my brother in the driver seat, it was my DAD! He had made the trip with my brother because he knew I needed him. That visit made all the difference to me. I cried and cried when they left a few days later, but I had been able to spend some part of my holiday with family - family who love me so much they sacrificed time together to give me a bright day!
How could I not love Christmas with all these wonderful stories? There are so many more, but these are the stories that make my heart sing...
