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An Advent Calendar - 18. Door#18 - My First Year Without Santa
My First Year Without Santa
When I was a very small child, our family would go to Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Swanson’s for Christmas Eve. Great Grandma would bake pies and cookies and little dishes of scalloped corn. There were presents galore, my cousin Brenda to play with, and lots of laughter and happiness. Late at night, at least to Brenda and me it was late, a tinkle of a bell would have us racing to the basement landing where Santa left us presents. We ran as fast as we could to try and catch sight of the merry old elf, but we always just missed him. Santa dropped off gifts and treats and it was very thrilling. It’s one of my fondest childhood memories.
When we were a little older, there was a time when we raced to catch sight of Santa and saw the backs of two men hurrying through the snow away from that back door. When we returned to the living room, Brenda and I wondered who those men were. Of course, they were Santa. They were my Grandpa Wally and Brenda’s Grandpa Howard.
In 1981, I lost my Santa to a heart attack. But, God, in his infinite compassion and wisdom, had provided a ‘backup’ Santa. For my life until recently, Uncle Howard continued to be my tie to those beautiful memories of Christmas past. The innocent, crazy excitement that Santa brought was still embodied in a very special man who made all our lives that much more joyful. I now face my first Christmas without a Santa.
Howard had always been a special kind of character. He simply bristled with life and love. Uncle Howard was a card that told jokes and spread laughter regardless of the circumstance. He was the spirit of Christmas all year long with a generous manner and a ready grin. It’s hard to put into words that sheer joy of life and generosity of spirit Howard had within him. It simply bubbled out and filled a room. His insights to life reminded us repeatedly that God sends us messengers of hope and faith. Howard gave us these gifts without even trying. He simply did what he was created to do.
Just like Santa.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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