“It’s Santa Claus!” The girl whispered to her parents as they entered the bookstore
and saw me standing near.
It’s something I’ve gotten use to…it happens around Christmas time each year.
I’m old…my beard is white…I wear a Santa cap on my head….
I like to think I’m jolly…and when it’s cold my nose gets red.
Children, with mouths agape, wave at me…and I smile at their surprise….
I love seeing the innocence on their faces…and the belief behind their eyes.
Because the wonder of Christmas can be found on the faces of children…
It’s in how their purity and innocence…keeps them believing… anticipating.
It’s the same wonder I felt as a child…
The same wonder I’m happy to take part in re-creating.
It’s the memories of Christmas we carry with us…and the memories we have sown…
that our children pass on to their children…and on to children of their own.
Before she left she smiled and waved, “Goodbye, Santa.” She said.
“Goodbye, Olivia. Have a Merry Christmas.” I smiled…then patted her on the head.
I winked at her parents as they walked away…then turned around to see…
Olivia walking away from the store but looking back and waving at me.
We exchanged one final wave and as it alway does…my heart began to soar
wondering if she’ll remember the day she met Santa Claus…
in of all places…
a Florida bookstore..
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