I ALMOST MET SANTA……

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  • February 26, 2022

 

I was at the age in 1953 when Santa Claus was a big deal for me. He was young and handsome and his photo was on every Coca-Cola advertisement. I knew in my mind that he couldn’t possibly do all the things he was reputed to do on one night especially when I didn’t have a fireplace. In my tiny house the fireplace was closed up with a gas heater placed in front of it. I was a doubter.

I lived in a mill village house where all or most adults worked at “the mill”. The mill manufactured sheeting and was famous for Lady Pepperell Sheets. We were poor; however, we did not know it as we were rich in other ways. Everyone knew everyone and what they did. So you better not pout, and you better not cry or everyone in the village would know your dirty deeds.

Usually for Christmas I was given a small gift at home and $25 from Santa Claus. My Granny would give me a box of chocolate covered cherries and maybe an item of clothing. I still crave those creamy cherries at Christmas and have to eat at least one during the season. My Aunt and her family came to our house at Christmas. My mother made lots of delicious food and beautiful cakes. She would put up a Silver Christmas Tree in the front window. It was so special to open gifts and I cherished everything I received.

Occasionally we drove to Aunt Pat’s house which was outside a small town in a rural area. I loved driving through the town because they had lots of Christmas decorations and lights. The houses were not decorated with lights in my village. I thought everyone was rich because they could afford those lights. My Aunt was lots of fun. They had a small store and she would let me pick out a costume jewelry ring from the store. We would have sparklers at night from the store. She always made the Lipton onion soup mix dip and I gorged myself to the point of almost chucking it everywhere. I can hardly eat it now.

Christmas 1953 was I guess a tight year for my family. I was told by my demon Step-father that I would not be getting anything. He hated children, especially girls and especially me. That is a story for another time. So when we went to bed Christmas Eve, I was determined to stay up all night so that I could talk with Santa. I waited and waited without hearing Santa. I kept getting out of bed to see if he had left anything. I knew he was going to leave something for my two younger brothers. I was sure the demon would have money for them. I finally dozed off I guess because when I got up to check under the tree, things had changed. I had barely missed Santa. I think I saw some long red fingernails jerk back from the tree. I waited and when I dared to look, I was so excited. A beautiful doll with long dark braids tied with red ribbons wearing red roller skates on her feet was standing under the tree. In her hand was $25 rolled up with a red bow tied around the bills. I am almost three-quarters of a century old now. I still have that doll although the red roller skates are missing. Two shiny tricycles were also under the tree for my brothers. I remembered seeing them at the Western Auto store that had lots of toys during Christmas. I thought it was the North Pole at the time and always spoke with the Santa who lived

there.

From that Christmas on, I knew that Santa was my Mother. Mothers make Christmas happen. They do not go out to the bars on Christmas Eve and forget about gifts

under the tree or food for the table. So yes, Santa lives on in our hearts and is a wonderful symbol of giving. Once you know the real Santa a little something is lost from childhood.

However, we grow up and know the original gift of love was sent to us from Heaven, was born in a manger, and is Christ our Savior.

We celebrate Christmas to honor Him. Jesus is The greatest gift of all.

 

12/19/2021

Sherry Schmidt