Like it or not

I’ve resisted the Christmas holiday activities beginning in November. Like it or not, Santa Claus has already come to town. When my 8 year old son asked to see Santa, how could I deny his sweet smile and overflowing excitement. We DID tell Santa that we would see him “later.” That was when we were at the mall over a week ago!

I had hoped “later” would equate to after Thanksgiving. I firmly believe in celebrating the holidays one at a time AND in the proper order.

Here we were at the mall again for another movie. After seeing the Happy Feet, we had finished my errands in 15 minutes time. I really didn’t have anything more to do and BoBo had bargained for 45 minutes of “hanging out.” So I gave in to YaYa’s request.

As YaYa and I walked in the direction of Santa’s holiday hangout, I questioned him. “Do you even know what you’ll ask him for yet?” YaYa did know. He had his short list of a few special items. He WAS ready.

He held my hand and we walked throught he mall with a quick pace for both having immobilized right legs. We are quite the pair indeed. When we arrived, we discovered that Santa was taking his afternoon break.

I should have been happy to have put the Santa visit off for a bit little longer, but I wasn’t. I had actually gotten caught up in YaYa’s excitement. I wanted to see him sitting on Santa’s lap again, telling Santa whether he had been a good boy or not, and then telling him what he wanted most for Christmas.

With disappointment, we walked back through the mall. Our legs were aching and we were tired. It is amazing how easily my legs get tired in these days of inactivity. YaYa and I found a bench and sat for a bit.

Before long, I heard children enthusiastically pointing out Santa, who was returning from his break. As he went past we followed, and then filed in line with the other children. All of these early birds will now be near the top of Santa’s long list.

Of course they charge way too much for a photo, and they don’t allow personal cameras. With each passing Christmas, I wonder how much longer the holiday will be as magical as it currently is. So it is no surprise that I coughed up the money to get the digital image (which cannot be purchased without buying a package too).

Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened, and yet I found myself singing Christmas carols as I was cooking dinner. It’s a little early, I KNOW. Santa Claus isn’t “coming to town”, he’s here – like it or not.

Happy Holidays!