Monday, December 22, 2008

wonderment


solo post tonight - L
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus." - Francis Pharcellus Church

I believe, don't you? Santa Claus represents the joy and spirit of giving - a joy that brings an euphoric feeling of well being and it seems to happen universally at this time of year don't you think? And if you have children around at Christmas they bring it all to life even stronger. To see the wonder in their eyes as they sit on Santa's knee, looking in to his eyes as they tell him their wishes; as they wait in anticipation for his arrival on Christmas morning. Why is it that this innocence of children brings tears to my eyes?
I can't tell you how special it was to be a part of a visit with Santa with my niece and nephew over Thanksgiving. They were convinced he was the real Santa. Santa was at a Christmas show visiting with children all day long and it was closing time - he spent over 20 minutes with them, personally, telling them all sorts of stories as they sat at his feet with their mouths dropped opened. He was very animated and wore deer antler rings and pins made by his elves and real fur boots and velvet suit so rich. He told so many interesting tales filled with such exuberance - one of being saved from the freezing lake by a polar bear; he showed them his world map and told them of the travels and how many trips back to the North Pole it took him before he finished all of his rounds; he told about some of his favorite elves - all in greatest of detail. By the end of the visit I was convinced - he was "Santa".
The other day I was looking through some of the Santa photos I had taken of Taylor and even some of the ones that were taken of me and my brothers. It's funny how the times change. I wonder if the photos that we take today will have such great nostalgic quality as the ones from our childhood do now. I mean I know they'll still be nostalgic but do think they will have the charm that old photos have today?
I'll be posting a few on my autumnsun blog just for fun. Maybe more later.

8 comments:

Char said...

the only santa pic I have of me is as an adult...but I do chuckle of the one of my big bad policeman brother crying on santa's lap at three.

Ms. Tee said...

Wow - I've never known a Santa that had such wonderful stories! I don't have any of myself - and I have only one of my son. He was always a little scared. :)

Anonymous said...

Ok, that seems to be the coolest santa ever! My children are still very hesitant of santa and other costumed people.

Anonymous said...

i am always telling rachel and paul how important i think it will be to olivia for them to document not just her life but theirs as well. she will feel all the nostalgia that we do when she is looking back upon happy memories. i don't think the style or time will make any difference at all.
i adore the story too! thank you for reading it to us :)

beth said...

wow....that is the BEST santa !!!

you rarely see any anymore that look real...oh he's a good one !!

Anonymous said...

What a great Santa! I don't have any photos of my kids with Santa. How did this happen?!

The innocence of children brings tears to my eyes, too. It is so overwhelmingly beautiful.

christina said...

Yes, I have to admit, I believe. ; ) I love the spirit of children at this time of year.

Olivia StClaire said...

Wonderment is right!!! What a fabulous post!! Beautiful images... Brought back memories from childhood.

He must have gone to a super Santa school! What a wonderful "job" to have!!

Merry Christmas to you!! I've enjoyed your posts & your visits!!
xo
Joy

footnote

The photos on the left are taken by me, Leslye, the mother. The photos on the right are taken by my daughter, Taylor – unless otherwise noted. Comments are always welcome. thanks
If you care to visit, I, Leslye, have another blog - AutumnSun where I ramble around different paths and pleasures of my own.