I Believe

I can’t say that I remember believing in Santa Claus as a child, but I always knew that it was just a topic you didn’t bring up or question.  I was concerned that if I ever questioned his existence, he would just stop showing up.  But one thing I do remember was the magical way the presents appeared under the tree.

Even though I’m a very heavy sleeper, I would usually manage to wake up early and I knew that if my stocking was lumpy – Santa had been there.  A quick run downstairs to count the number of presents under the tree and then back upstairs to wake Lisa.

I never asked Mom or Dad about the existence of Santa, but I was around 12 when Santa finally made the ultimate mistake…  Every year – on top of our pile of presents – there was a note to let us know whose pile was whose.  The note would say “To ‘Chelle – From Santa”.  That fateful year, Santa’s note on my pile said, “To ‘Chelle – From Sandy”.  Whoops – can we say “Freudian Slip”?

Many years later, I got my chance to be “Santa” for Mom.  It was Christmas Eve and everyone was in bed, but Mom and I were up to wrap presents.  She was exhausted and was lying down on the family room floor next to me. “Just give me a few minutes to rest my eyes,” she said and she promptly fell into a sound sleep.  

Now was my chance.  I started wrapping all the family presents as quietly as I could.  After 3 hours – all presents were wrapped and placed under the tree.  I gently woke Mom and told her it was time to go to bed.  She said, “But we still need to wrap the presents…”  I happily told her that everything was already done.  The look of relief on her face was priceless.  She thanked me profusely and we finally went to bed.  

From that moment on, every Christmas, I get a thrill doing all the special things for my family in the name of Santa.  Putting the presents under the tree after everyone is in bed, setting the breakfast table with the special China, and anything else I can think of.

Merry Christmas to all – from Santa!

Click here to check out other Sidetracked opinions

Click here to listen to the Sidetracked Legacies podcast

Want to create your own legacy? Join the Sidetracked Sisters and start now!

Ever thought about working with a Life Coach? Are you creative or a writer who is frustrated with your inability to do the work you so desperately feel called to do? Check out Lisa Hoffman Coaching.

#sidetrackedsisters #sidetrackedchelle #sidetrackedlegacies #legacywriting #legacystories #writeyourownlegacy #LisaHoffmanCoaching #holidays #SantaIsReal #IBelieve #Santa