SANTA! I KNOWWW HIM!

As Christmas Day quickly approaches, I can’t help but think back to my most special childhood memories that made Christmas morning magical for me. 

A few of these unforgettable moments involve dirty footprints, Santa’s list, jingle bells on the roof and a pink Barbie Cadillac.

I grew up in a house with a huge fireplace. I'm grateful for having this luxury because it only added to the magic of Christmas. “The stockings were hung by the Chimney with care in the hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.” I mean Common! What kid wouldn’t be super pumped to see Santa plop down the chimney?! I never actually caught him…..but I did see his boot prints once.

One Christmas morning I ran out into the living room to do a drive-by of the stockings loot. I looked at the hearth and what did I see?? Santa’s footprints!!!! The outline of two big boots, Santa soot-and-all were right there in front of me!

Another Christmas, Santa left “his list” at my house. It was a scroll of paper that you had to open just like you saw in the books and movies. I found the list on the ground next to a plate of half eaten chocolate chip cookies. I stared at this list with eyes wide open and jaw dropped, almost scared to even pick it up. I unraveled the list….

James

Sara

Jessica

Timothy

Mary

Carol

Daniel

MY name was on Santa’s LIST!

Then there was the time “Santa” was up on our roof. If you listened closely you could hear his footsteps and sleigh bells! Santa was here!!! Quick- Back to Bed!!!

My ultimate Christmas memory involves a Pink Barbie Convertible Cadillac.  I was marveling over my sweet new Mattel Mobile. In the front seat sat two of my own Barbie’s. These weren’t new Barbie’s…these were old Barbie’s that I had for quite some time and they lived in a suitcase in my room. It took me a moment to realize the magnitude of the situation that lay in front of me. If those Barbie’s were in my room when I went to sleep last night…..and now they are sitting out here in my brand new Barbie car from Santa…..that can only mean one thing!

“SANTA WAS IN MY ROOM!!!!???????” 

I totally freaked. I had officially achieved Pure Christmas Joy.

These are the memories I will hold dear to forever. For they are the very reasons I believed in the magic of Christmas as a child. As I grew older I later realized those foot prints where really the handy work of my dad’s work boots; Santa’s list was also made of the same paper found in my father’s electronic calculator and the handwriting was identical to my mother’s. Also, that wasn’t Santa’s Sleigh perched on the roof… It was my dear old dad prancing around with jingle bells- God bless him. (I still can’t help but think what he would have done if I ran outside to see what “arose such a clatter.”)

As far as the Barbie Cadillac- that really WAS Santa. I refuse to believe otherwise.

What Christmas memories do you treasure? Take a moment to reflect on the moments that made you believe.

Here’s wishing all my family and friends a very Merry Christmas.

May you continue to create magical memories with the ones you love.