Just days before Christmas, a crowd of shoppers scrambles for the last gifts and discounts. I watch as kids run wild, trailed by older siblings who double as reluctant babysitters. Their mom waits at the wrapping booth, having gifts wrapped that couldn't be seen until Christmas morning.
A distraught young girl looks at jewelry prices she can't afford. As she leaves, she checks her phone, maybe texting her best friend for help. My hope is that she realizes the gift's size or cost doesn't matter; it will bring joy to her mom because it was given with love.
There's a young man at the food court guarding packages his wife left for him to watch, but his attention was more on the girls passing by. He sipped some coffee, smiling and remembering that he met his wife right here as she passed by, smiling at him, and little did he know at the time that she would become his wife.
I noticed an elderly gentleman slowly working his way through the crowd to a table where his lady of 60 years patiently waited for him to arrive with what was, by now, lukewarm coffee. She didn't care; she was grateful somebody didn't knock him over.
Then there was Santa Claus sitting on his throne, dressed better than most mall Santas. His beard was long and white, his hair long and clean. His boots looked handmade and nothing like any boots he'd ever seen. I stood not far away, so I heard some of the kids' wishes, which brought a smile as I remembered as a boy telling Santa my most favorite toy in the whole world was a GI Joe action figure and that I'd been good all year, well, mostly all year, and would he please bring that toy to me." " I'll see what I can do, Billy," he said, and gave me a wink.
I saw a kid holding onto his mom's hand as she moved faster than a brisk walk on a mission to grab the last video in stock, only to find the store was taking orders and that it would be in stock in two weeks. That wouldnt do. I admired her persistence as she approached the customer who snagged the last video, offering him double what he paid for it. He agreed, saying he thinks his grandson already has the video anyway.
One more time, I found myself in front of Santa, who had hung the sign he must be leaving, as tomorrow night he'd be on his way with a full sleigh and millions of miles to go. He turned to walk away, looked at me, and smiled a gentle smile, asking if I liked the GI Joe action figure. It was what you asked for, wasn't it, Billy?
I found my wife in the dwindling crowd, her arms full of packages, but all I could think of was how in the name of Rudolph did he know who I was? Oh well, its christmas and anything can happen, especially if you believe.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Mike 2025
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