Friday, December 7, 2007

Who says there's no Santa?

Since I do not have anything quilty to blog about, being the holidays and all I thought I would share with you one of my favourite Santa story. For the record, I am one of Santa's biggest fan! I love anything having to do with Santa.

So, allow me to share a story that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. It was published in The Country Register, Nov.-Dec., 2005 issue (page 27). I do not know the author. It is a story that no matter how often I re-read it, it always warms my heart.


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.”

Off we went to 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 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 Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me and Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat I knew that because he never went out to 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; he had no 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, ma’am,” 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 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. She helped me write “To Bobby From Santa Claus” on a tag.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me 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.

Than 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 Grandma’s Bible, with the coat’s tag tucked inside: $19.95.

19 comments:

Darlene said...

What a wonderful story - thank you for sharing!

And, by the way there definitely is a Santa Claus! I've seen him.
:-)

((HUGS))

Kim said...

My 10yr old - home on a PA day - wants to know why I am crying while on the computer :)

Thanks

Kim

Unknown said...

It is a beautiful story and I have to thank you for sharing it. Take care.

Vicki W said...

What a beautiful story! I'm so glad you shared it.

Libby said...

Oh man - I was feeling the tears well up when Grandma put the tag in the bible . . . what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it *s*

antique quilter said...

wow what a wonderful story , yes I have tears in my eyes too.
I bet your Grandma knew she was teaching a lesson on how it is better to give than receive.
Hopefully bobby got to play out side from then on.
Kathie

Shelina said...

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Your snow scene looks wonderful - the yellow barn and the kids building a snowman. You've definitely got that photographic eye.

Karen said...

That's a wonderful story. It reminds me of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. One of my favorite stories.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Holiday Wishes to you and your family

Thimbleanna said...

Thanks for sharing -- I love all things Santa too!

Gina said...

What a fabulous heart warming Christmas story. thatnk you so much for sharing it.

love and hugs xxx

hetty said...

OMG girl! You made me cry! What a wonderful story!

Carole said...

What a lovely story... sends tears rolling down my cheeks. And now I'll know what to tell my girls when they come one day and ask me if it's true Santa doesn't exist !

Pat said...

What a lovely story.If we only had more Grandmas the world would be a different place. Thanks for sharing. May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest and healthiest of Near Years. If I see Santa here in Plattsburgh,I will send him your way.

Wendy said...

Santa is the best. I believe!

Kim said...

Love the story! I'm a sucker for Christmas stories--thanks for sharing!

atet said...

Oh yes Virginia, there really IS a Santa Clause!

Tammy said...

Hi!

I LOVE that story. I am a filmmaker interested in tracking down the author of that lovely Christmas story . You mentioned that you first read it in the Country Register in 2005. Which Country Register was that? I know they're published in different parts of the US and Canada. Any help would be SO greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Nan said...

I truly love that story! I have always believed in Santa Claus, too. I try to keep him alive and well each Christmas by doing something for someone anonymously. That's what the Christmas spirit is all about, isn't it? I think so!
Thank you for sharing, Carole! I am horribly behind in my blog reading, but I'm very pleased I came to visit yours today!

Susan said...

I can't stop crying. Thank you so much for sharing the story. Please send this to Reader's digest or something.

Susan

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