The holiday magic of Santa and why I still believe

 

 

 

One word often describes the holiday season: magic. Even though most of us find

ourselves running fast in an effort to keep up with the increased activities,

entertainments, and events we want to believe in magic. Maybe it dates back to

our childhoods when the sparkle of Christmas lights strung on the tree or the

appearance of Santa Claus made magic come alive.

 

I suppose most American kids believe in Santa at one point in their life.

although I’ve known a few parents who wouldn’t let the legend live for their

broods. My own belief in the jolly old elf exceeded the basic expectations but

then I have a very good reason for Santa Claus was my uncle.

My Uncle Bill Puett put aside his everyday life as a delivery route man for

Just-Rite Dairy in my hometown of St. Joseph, Missouri each December. Since he

happened to be a large man year-round, he fit the physical description to

perfection and his demeanor happened to be both cheerful and giving. He started

out playing Santa for some dairy promotions back in the day when Just-Rite

featured special ice cream novelties for the holidays. Their individual serving

size Christmas trees, Santa faces, and big ice cream cakes were a hit in

northern Missouri and Uncle Bill promoted them well.

He enjoyed the role so much he bought his own Santa Claus suit and before long,

he filled those black boots like the real deal. I bought into the entire Santa

thing with a whole heart as a young child. Why wouldn’t I when on a routine trip

to a local supermarket Santa Claus himself approached me and called me by name?

Or how about the Christmas Eve evening visit from my Aunt Janet who just

happened to run across Santa Claus out on the walk and invite him to come in

with her?

During the ordinary season of the year, my uncle and aunt showered me with gifts

for no occasion at all. I still have a huge stuffed blue dog which my cousin

actually delivered to me from my late grandmothers attic this past summer

larger than I was at the time. They bought me my first bikini when I was  

four, binoculars to rival those of any bird watcher, and so much more. With

such a giving heart, Uncle Bill brought Santa to life so well I couldn’t tell the

difference.

That wasn’t the case for other would-be Santa figures. At the local discount

department store in downtown St. Joseph, Missouri, my Granny’s neighbor played

Santa but he was too skinny and too sour. Besides, when my Granny would say,

This is him, Lee Ann, the real Santa Claus so tell him what you want for

Christmas but above my head greet him with “Hello, Faye, how’s the Missus? Tell

her I said hello,” it diminished the plausibility. At an early age I decided

most of those store Santa Claus guys and the ones who rang bells for donations.

on street corners, must be the Santa’s helpers but the Santa Claus who knew

my name, at home and out in public, well he was real.

After my uncle and aunt produced their children, Aunt Janet even offered  

photographic evidence pictures of Santa placing packages beneath their tree.

 I grew up believing in Santa, hanging onto the mystery and magic a little

longer than most kids probably do. And even when I learned the story of Santa

Claus embodies the spirit of love and giving, I still believe in the magic if not the man.

 

For more on Santa, check out my latest release, The Scarred Santa, from The Wild Rose Press, available in both eBook and paperback wherever books are sold (even Walmart online)

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0CHG2JPKX/

https://www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy/dp/1509250794/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1125124434?

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1125124434?

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-scarred-santa-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/20608875

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-scarred-santa_lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/39813897/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Scarred-Santa-Paperback-9781509250790/5030690654

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-scarred-santa/id6464521881

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-scarred-santa/lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/9781509250790

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-scarred-santa

https://www.ibs.it/scarred-santa-ebook-inglese-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/e/9781509250783