When Kelly was little, Steve and I told her how Santa’s elves spend the whole year making toys, and on Christmas Eve, Santa loads up his sleigh and magically delivers presents to all the good little boys and girls. When she started asking questions about how Santa could possibly fit through a tiny chimney, or how he could have time to visit all the houses in the world in just one night, we said, "You've just gotta believe."
It was a fun part of childhood. Of course, we knew she’d eventually realize there’s nothing magic about it. She’d figure out the harsh reality, that you can’t always get what you want for Christmas. Really, it's good old mom and dad who do the shopping, and the malls are crowded, toys are expensive, sometimes mom and dad run out of time, or the stores run out of toys.
The average kid stops believing in Santa at about age seven. If they’re smart, they stop believing sooner, at five or six.
If they’re really smart?
They never stop.
I knew Kelly would never stop believing in Santa when she was six. That was the year she wanted a Barbie Cash register for Christmas - the same thing every six-year-old girl in America wanted.
“What else is on your list?” I asked her. “Because I don’t think Santa’s elves can make enough of those for all the little girls who want one.”
“There’s nothing else on my list,” she answered. “The only thing I’m asking for is a Barbie Cash Register. That way Santa will know I really, really want one - more than anybody.”
“But none of the stores have them – they’re all sold out!”
"Mom, you've just gotta believe."
Uh oh, I thought, as a bead of sweat ran down my neck.
After launching a massive effort to locate a Barbie Cash Register, the sister of our neighbor’s cousin’s mailman found a solitary Barbie Cash Register, accidentally stashed behind a “Barbie Dream House Display” at the K-Mart in Boise, Idaho.
It arrived via Fed Ex on December 24th. I was overcome with relief as I held the package; I hadn't worked that hard on a delivery since giving birth.
On Christmas morning, Kelly raced out to the living room. She squealed when she saw the package, tearing off the wrapping paper. Then she danced around the room with it held high above her head. "I TOLD you!" she cried out. “I KNEW Santa would bring me my Barbie Cash Register!"
You've just gotta believe.
LOL, good column. Yeah, belief bolstered by the tentacles of a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend located an elusive Cabbage Patch doll during the height of a holiday frenzy years ago. "Santa" - how does he do it?
Posted by: Suzette Standring | December 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I felt like I just watched one of those Hallmark Christmas movies(tears included). No one tells a story more vividly than you. Thanks for this Christmas gift.
Posted by: Beverly | December 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I feel like I just got through watching one of those Hallmark Christmas Movies. Your way of telling a story is so vivid it takes one right there. What a wonderful gift you give .
Posted by: Beverly | December 12, 2008 at 09:55 PM