Mall Santa

     The elderly man in a Santa suit prepared himself for his first day on the job as the Milton Valley mall Santa. He excelled at Santa school developing a boisterous “HO-HO-HO” along with the patience of a saint. He had always dreamed of playing Santa, but his life seemed to always get in the way, and his dream was put on hold. The day he retired from the Union Pacific railroad his wife asked him what he was going to do with his time? His first and immediate response was “Going to Santa school” She smiled, patted his bald head and wished him luck, adding he may want to consider putting on a few pounds and growing a beard. The beard was easy but eating more took some doing as he never in his adult life tipped the scales more than one hundred and fifty pounds.

     Eight months later he was ready for school, his hair had grown, and his beard now long and snow white just like Santa himself. And, he had managed with the help of his long-time bride to pack on a whopping sixty pounds which he proudly displayed with a “HO-HO-HO- from the bottom of his big belly. He had ordered a Santa’s suit from the best costume shop anywhere each detail was flawlessly created just for him, and the result was indeed a vision to be seen. That first day at the mall found him sitting on a massive throne of a chair, behind him a winter wonderland of lights and sounds of Christmas. The children were lined up to sit on Santa’s lap telling him their wishes and him asking if they had been good little boys and girls the past year? At days end with the last child walking away turning her head for one last look, he winked, and she disappeared into the crowd.

     That night he reflected on the day and the children’s wishes. It surprised him how many little ones asked him to please bring their mommy or daddy home for Christmas as they were off at war and probably couldn't come home. He spoke to them softly telling them their mommy or daddy were giving the whole country the greatest gift anyone could ever give, the gift of freedom. He told them he would see their mommy or daddy on Christmas Eve no matter where they might be, and he would be sure to tell them how much they are loved and missed. This seemed to brighten their moods as they kissed his cheek and climbed off his lap a candy cane in hand and hope in their little hearts.

     He spent seven weeks representing Santa, every day better than the last. He saw the kindness in children he didn't know existed at such an early age as well as the pain they kept inside knowing full well the meaning of war and separation Once his job was over, and the Santa suit dry cleaned and put away for another year he sat down, lit his pipe and began the long task of reading letters to Santa care of Milton Valley mall. He had a hunch he would be there for many years to come. 

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