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Monday, December 1, 2008

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Every year, I get that very ? asked to me by T.K., and my answer is and ALWAYS will be the same because there are 2 things I believe (more actually, but I won't go there)....

1) as long as you BELIEVE in Santa, there will always be a Santa, in one form or another

and

2) I believe there are angels among us, maybe not in the flying way, but angels, nonetheless.

In light of that, I will share this warm & fuzzy...(source unknown)

AN ADVENTURE WITH GRANDMA

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 8 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, 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 2nd grade class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out or 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, and he didn't have a 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," I replied shyly. "It's .... for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) 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 doorbell 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 tag tucked inside: $19.95.

===============================

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.


Will you join me on Santa's team this year? This year more than ever, there are so many that need our help. I know I'm blessed. Because I can't bear the thought of children not having Santa visit on Christmas morning, I will be providing gifts to foster children through one of the Guardian ad Litem programs. If you're "adopting" someone...anyone this year, please do share. I'd love to hear your story. Even if you're unable this year, but have in years past, feel free to share. Let's do our part to make this Christmas extra special for someone less fortunate! I'm sure we'll all be blessed for having done so!
P.S. Just to let you know, since several of you have commented...this story was copied, so I didn't make it up, and it's about a little boy (I think) and his grandmother. I never knew either of my grandmothers, so unfortunately, I don't have a story there.

32 comments:

tam said...

Really wonderful post Tardevil! Thanks for that! The story was very sweet... Hope you have a nice week!
~Tam :)

Eve said...

What a WONDERFUL story - and a great reminder of what why giving is better than receiving to start the month off right.
Thanks!

Kristen said...

Thanks for the story we should all believe in Santa and his elves.

Bo said...

Aaaawww, I LOVED this story...and your idea of sharing...BTW, my computer is soooo sick, I've got to try to get somebody to fix it...so if I'm missing in action, you'll know why...Oh, the misery!! ;-) Bo (I'm using my DH's acc't. to post this)

Stacey said...

We do need Santa, don't we? My church has a tree that we take names from. We provide gifts for kids whose parents are incarcerated. I think there are also others families included who are in need of help. I think all of us have enough to share something.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Tardevil, I am loving your Christmas story this morning. Your grandma was a very special lady. I have always told my children and anyone else who challenges Santa, that he is the spirit of Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your lovely experience today. A good lesson for everyone. We do adopt families who are needy and it is the best feeling ever. We do this through our church.

Have a blessed day.

Hugs...Jeanne

Lynette said...

Well damn Tar - you and your Grandma have me crying right now, big ole' tears. I'm such a sap for stories like that!! What a great story to grow up on!
I'm getting ready to tag you if I can finish crying here!
Lynette

Free Art Printables said...

I do believe in Santa! And I tell my kids.. if you don't believe, you don't receive!!!

Kristen said...

Thanks for coming by. I didn't like that part either. I figured out how to take that part out. Come back and see. If you want to post it and want to take that part out then look for it on the html code and delete it or replace it with something else.

Kristen said...

BEWARE of the dancing gingerbread men! I can't remove it. I found another one I wanted to put there and it will NOT remove image. I hope the link falls dead after the holidays or I may have to chane my blog name to Dancin for Nothin!

Bo said...

Hi dear Tar...my email doesn't work so I came back here via my DH's acc't. to say that no, my grandson doesn't live with us...he's about 50 miles away...not bad, but he only gets to come about 4 or 5 times a year..sniff-sniff, ♥ Bo ♥

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Hi!! I am Terrie/ aka doxieluvr at RMS. It's nice to meet you. I don't recall visiting your blog before. But, I am glad I did. I love the Christmas message you have shared today. What a wonderful grandma you have. And such precious memories. I hope you don't mind I'm going to add you to my blog list. ~Terrie~

Melissa Miller said...

Awww Tare, Tears are running down my cheeks...
What an awesome and heartfelt story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. We are moving to Maryland. A small Navy base in a town called Lexington Park about an hour from DC. It will be fine. Sigh. It's just happening about 3 years sooner than we expected to move. ;( That's the military way of life sometimes. But, a new home for me to decorate huh? TEE HEE! Sounds good. We need to get to Raleigh around that time. My SUV came from a dealership there and it has a light on they need to fix. ~Melissa :)

david mcmahon said...

I really enjoyed this post. When one of my kids was old enough to ``kow'' I explained that Santa Claus was what we believed in until we were old enough to understand the true spirit of Christmas.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a wonderful story! Yes, I am a big believer in Santa and I am one of Santa's helpers year round.
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. I have not had the chance to meet Mark Roberts...I buy his sweet fairies at a local store here in Hendersonville.

Sit A Spell said...

What a nice story...I am part of Operation Christmas child, which sends shoe boxes full of fun etc to children in need.

the voice of melody said...

Cute post! I've read that story before. It was sent to us in a newsletter from a business associate a few years ago. My husband and I both took turns reading it to our little boy and I remember having a hard time finishing it without weeping! I saved it so we could share it with him again throughout the years. :)

squawmama said...

I truly believe... and always will... Thanks for the special story... I so enjoyed it. Have a great night...

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Glenda said...

A beautiful story to pass on. Thank you.

Picket said...

I love this post!!!! What a beautiful heartwarming story! I do believe in Santa...I do...I do! Thanks for coming by girl ..hope you have a beautiful week1

nikkicrumpet said...

WHat a sweet story. One of my favorite things to do with my kids was to buy presents every year for 3 families in our area who we thought might need help at Christmas time. We'd shop for the presents..wrap them...and then give them anonymously. We used to LOVE to knock on the doors and then run like the wind. It was my kids most favorite part of Christmas every year. I sure hope they continue that tradition when they have kids. It is funny how giving really is so much more fun than receiving...unless of course it's chocolate..then I want to RECEIVE!

Nancy Rosalina said...

What a wonderful story! I do believe in Santa! Nancy

Bo said...

Hey dear Tar...my 'puter is fixed...and I wanted to let you know I loved this story so much, I sent it to all of my email buddies!
Big hugs, ;-) Bo

The Muse said...

Here is a lovely Christmas prose...
"The Unexpected Gift"
I hope it helps you treasure your family this season...
(it is my latest work)

http://www.jlomowriter.blogspot.com/

Thank you and many blessings...I really am happy to have found your blog :)
Oh forever always, there is a Santa!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, I have tears in my eyes! What a moving story. If that doesn't get somebody to share with others, I don't know what will. Thanks for posting that story. laurie

Sandi McBride said...

I remember that story so well...I can't tell you where I heard it. I simply don't know. It's one of those that stick with you your whole life. When I was a Deputy Sheriff, a few of us would start filling our trunks with toys and stuffed animals, fix up bikes that were recovered stolen property but never claimed...and we knew where the children lived who Santa needed to help. I've retired now and I missed it so much, but I buy a little something for the Deputy's Trunk each month...because Santa exists, he's everywhere there is a giving heart and nurturing nature. Wonderful post, thank you and congrats on the Post of the Day mention!
Sandi

bj said...

I didn't have a grandmother, either, Tar...I think that is one reason I try so hard to be a good grandmother to our kids and try to make as many memories for them as I possibly can. I would LOVE to have memories of a loving grandmother.....

The Muse said...

Superb word addition in the blog post "Think A Thought Tuesday"...

I am off to buy bright and cheery ornaments for my porch tree...your decor has inspired me :)

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Oh the magic of Christmas..nothing is more precious than seeing it through the eyes of children, in the delightful wonderment!
Of course there is a Santa!
And Yes, there are Angels!

larkswing said...

Over from David's . . . :)

Angels and Santas - YES!

Merry Christmas!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Terrific Post, Tar! You really do have a softer side!! Tee Hee

Seriously, this is a keeper. I loved it. Really makes one stop & think.

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I believe. :)