Last night I had the privilege of visiting Santa with my grandchildren in Maryland.

Oh to have the youth and excitement of a child.

I should preface what I’m about to share by letting you know about a tragedy that happened earlier that day before we arrived. If you are familiar with The Elf on the Shelf, you’re aware that no one is allowed to touch one. If it is touched it could ruin Christmas.

Saturday morning Ryan came downstairs to find Jingles the elf sitting on the back of their couch. When he plopped down onto the couch Jingles did a double back-flip and appeared to die on the floor.

Thus began the tears, crying and fear that Christmas was ruined. His mother assured him that it was an accident and Jingles would be alright.

Sure enough, when Ryan went back downstairs he found Jingles sitting where he had been before. But the fear of ruining Christmas lingered on the rest of the day.

When we arrived at their house later that day it was time for Santa to visit children in the neighborhood.

So we walked down the street to see Santa. The whole time Jingles near death experience was on his mind. How would he explain it to Santa. Would Santa be mad? Would he even know? After all, the jolly old man sees all and knows all.

When Ryan and Lily’s turn came to approach him, Santa pulled him close and asked, “What would you like for Christmas?”

“Legos. I want Legos.”

“Have you been a good boy this year?”

Ryan timidly nodded. Secretly, he wondered if Santa really knew about Jingles’ accident. He felt panicked.

Then the great one did something unexpected. He pointed towards her and asked, “Has your sister been good? Tell me the truth.”

He realized this was the pivotal moment. A moment he knew he must seize. A carpe diem moment.

Before he knew it he had blurted out, “She threw the remote at our TV and broke it!”

Immediately he regretted saying it. But something said cannot be unsaid. He hung his head.

Santa looked over and asked Lily, “Has your little brother been good this year?”

“Yes.”

What? What had she said to the great bearded man? Yes?

He looked at my grandson and chuckled. She’d had a chance to throw him under the bus about the accident with Jingles and she had said nothing. It was a Christmas Miracle!

Then Ryan blurted out, “She’s been good!”

Santa looked down at him, smiled and said. “I thought so.”

Then it was over. They were being escorted away.

The moment he had waited for all year was over. Had Santa heard that he wanted Legos for Christmas? If he really sees everything, how could he have missed seeing the accident with Jingles?

Was he deaf? Had he really not heard him ratting out his sister?

His little mind was reeling as he walked away.

On a good note, Jingles seems fine today. We found him swinging from the Christmas lights in the living room.

_______________
Rick Algood
December 22, 2019