The Joy of Six...: Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus….

This will be my last post until after Christmas sometime. Jenna and I are leaving for Julie’s early Tuesday morning and won’t be home until the following Monday night. We are all very excited. All of our presents arrived safely, have been placed under the tree for days; and have been under the watchful eyes of Bella and Bastian. They are already guessing what’s in them. We have a lot of things planned around the big day. It’s become a tradition for Aunt Jory and Bella to bake gingerbread cookies, and once again I look forward to getting some good pictures of that, with Aunt Jenna possibly joining in the baking festivities with some things of her own.

Bella asked me on the phone a couple of nights ago….”Grandma, will you teach me how to knit?” Looks like we’ll be shopping for some knitting needles and yarn while I’m there and starting that little project. Now this is something I will personally love. Her mom wanted to learn to knit a few years ago….pre-Bella days….and I showed her; but she hasn’t exactly had the time to pursue it.

In that same phone conversation I was treated to a Xmas concert by Bella and Bastian….so cute….and very entertaining. It was probably the longest…and best conversation I’ve had with BOTH of them on the phone EVER. They each even read a story to me. I think it became a competition after a while for Bastian. If Bella was going to do it…..HE was going to do it. And, of course if Grandma clapped and made a big deal of it…..all the better; plus it kept them up later when they should have already been in bed. Smart kids.

Happy Holidays to all of you. Stay safe, stay healthy, and be happy……. Love and Blessings always….. ~Joy

Santa Claus: The True Story

I remember my first Christmas party 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.

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 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 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, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s second grade class.

Bobbie Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie 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 Bobbie 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 Bobbie.”

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, and write, “To Bobbie, From Santa Claus” on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie 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 Bobbie’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 Bobbie.

Forty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobbie 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.

This story is not about me...as some of you have already thought. I'm sorry I didn't make that clear. I just wanted to pass it on to you for the holidays. ~Joy

Happy

Holidays

Comments

A precious story, Joy. Very precious.

Posted by: Roberta | December 17, 2009 at 11:25 AM

What a terrific woman your grandma was!! She planted a kindness in you that exists to this very day and that you have passed down to your own children. I think you should dig up a picture of her and do a 'tribute' post to your grandma. Too bad there aren't more like her. Big hugs....have a safe and wonderful Christmas...make some fantastic memories. xo

Posted by: Val | December 17, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Have a safe trip and enjoy your children and grandchildren and Merry Christmas to all!!

Posted by: kenju | December 17, 2009 at 01:54 PM

Merry Christmas Joy! Enjoy your time with your family.

Posted by: Karen | December 17, 2009 at 01:56 PM

Have a wonderful Christmas. See you on the flip side.

Posted by: Betty | December 17, 2009 at 03:39 PM

Have a safe and happy holiday. Give hugs to the whole family for me. (No working!)

Posted by: Denise | December 17, 2009 at 04:02 PM

Great story!!!!!! Thanks!!!!

And Bon Voyage!!!!!!!! Many blessings to you and yours!!!

Posted by: Kay Dennison | December 17, 2009 at 04:34 PM

Good story, even if it didn't happen to you (and...probably not to anyone!)

Safe (if not sane) holidays and lots of hugs to you!

Posted by: Cop Car | December 17, 2009 at 04:41 PM

That is a beautiful story. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas. I'm sure you will.

Posted by: jen | December 17, 2009 at 05:22 PM

Dear Joy ~~ What a great grandma that lady was and made her grand-daughter so happy, not to mention Bobby with his new coat. I hope you have a great time with the grandkids Joy as I am sure you will. Glad you liked the pic of Peter and me - it surprised me how happy we both looked. There is only the two of us, so we love to get together. Enjoy Christmas dear friend. Much love, Merle.

Posted by: Merle | December 19, 2009 at 03:37 AM