A Children's Christmas Story: I'll Be Waiting

Its early evening on Christmas Eve and everyone is rushing home from their last minute shopping trips. I live in western North Carolina in a small country town with my grandparents. Down the road from our old farm house the glow of twinkling porch lights begin to eliminate the night sky, inflatable Santa's in plastic snow globes entertain passers by and homemade evergreen wreathes hang above the doors . From our living room window I see our horses settling down in the pastures preparing for the long winter's night, barn cats huddling beside the crack in our barn door and the scent of pine from our freshly cut, decorated tree. The front porch wind chimes dance in the wind welcoming the holiday with their angelic song. At eight years old some may say I'm too old to believe in Santa. That Christmas is just another day for malls and stores to make money - perhaps.

On the other hand, I truly believe Christmas brings its own miracles. Stars shine brighter; neighbors caroling door to door wishing one another a very Merry Christmas; smells coming from my grandmom's kitchen as she prepares Christmas dinner - all indelibly etched in my heart reminding me what Christmas is truly all about. I asked my grandmom if she believes in Santa. When she was a little girl she spotted Santa in a local store. She said, "I remembered he didn't look very happy and had bad breath. I knew then and there that he was an impersonator, a fake, a fraud. Why would he be in a department store on Christmas Eve?" Nevertheless, I still have faith he could be real. My friends laugh when I tell them I still leave cookies and milk out for him. More than likely its dad and pop-pop that eat them but how can I be sure? Maybe Santa does enjoy a cold glass of milk and a snack while he performs his Christmas responsibility to every girl and boy who's been good.

So I wait - wait by my window and watch, hoping to catch a glimpse of that jolly old man. The one who brings us more than just toys and presents . . . he brings us joy, love and happiness once a year. I'm still waiting for people to realize that the joy of Christmas can and should happen every day. So, I wait and wish upon that bright star that twinkles every Christmas Eve, "Santa, please bring us joy, love, happiness every day of the year . . . I'll be waiting."

PS . . . If you can fulfill my wish I'm afraid my allowance won't cover a years worth of cookies and milk but here is the name and address of a great bakery I think you may like. And since you are very old, just show them your AARP card and they will give you a discount. Merry Christmas!