Santa grows up

When I was smaller, Christmas was the time of year that I looked forward to the most. It was so magical. I remember going through the weeks before thinking that they are taking 'forever' to get to the end goal - CHRISTMAS! I couldn't wait for Christmas eve dinner to be with my cousins, laugh and play. Then when all was said and done, I would feel I 'had' to go to sleep as soon as I could but before I do - the cookies must be left out for santa with the note, of course. Can't forget the note. 'Dear Santa, Please enjoy these cookies and milk....'

Of course, being young, I absolutely couldn't wait for Christmas morning. I would run down the stairs and somehow still be convinced that Santa Claus himself dropped all these gifts off for myself and my siblings. It didn't help that all the tags were 'from Santa'! Regardless - it was here! Christmas day! Tearing through the presents was amazing. What was more amazing is that the 'big' gifts were addressed to 'Jessica, Brian and Kristen' (at times - my older sister would be involved in the gift) and we opened them together, stared in awe at them together and played with them - together. Ahh...those were the days.

Soon, it was time to head off to my Aunt's home for dinner and the next best thing was choosing something new to wear and one, small gift to bring with us. I imagine this is so we wouldn't be at the house, pacing and nagging to go home to play with all the new stuff! Whatever it was, the method kept us satisfied and happy. It worked.

Time to go home? Yes! Those were the greatest words I could hear! Back to my NEW stuff...

Then it happened. One year, as I was making my way through the sea of gifts, I found it. Hidden between two neatly wrapped gifts and almost under the couch, there was a cookie. A cookie set out especially for Santa himself! I picked up the cookie and said, ' I knew it' . I knew he wasn't real. Perhaps the cookie could have been dropped by the big man himself but I just knew. Something inside my little belly just knew. Still, I kept it to myself. I wanted to remain in the magical, fantasy that I have surrounded around Christmas until now.

Over the years, as I have grown, so has Santa. I am now one of his 'helpers' as I have been for quite sometime but I keep him real for my nieces and nephews. I watch them as they make their way through the overload of toys and clothes purchased by all of us helpers but sent to them from Santa.

Now I sit back and smile as I relive the magic of Christmas through their bright eyes and piercing (happy) squeals.

I still smile when I am handed a gift 'from Santa'.