When my son was a little boy, I used to create these magical moments around Christmastime. We’d travel every year, so it was a little tricky, but with help from some really great friends I’d make it happen. I would allow my son to leave a glass of milk and cookies for Santa Claus, and have it be replaced by a thank you note before we returned. One year we left with a few little gifts under the tree and came home to his first big boy bike sitting front and center. My son even had a Christmas train set he’d place stationary around the base of the tree with Santa and his helpers approaching the station as we left home and traveling away after the holiday. All of this added to the joy of Christmas, seeing the wonderment in my son’s face each time. Whether he really continued to believe in Santa Claus or not as he neared his teenage years, I still created those amazing memories he may pass on to his kids.
Fast forward nearly 20 years and I’m left feeling like a scrooge in comparison. My son and I still love Christmas and spending time with family and friends, and I’m still sneaky with my approach to gift giving, but of course it could never be the same.
©2018 CSNelson, dontforgetthehalf
