I am a girl Dad and with that comes with the inability to say no to your Daughter. So when my Daughter volunteered me to play Santa Claus at her schools Christmas pageant without my knowledge I was quite taken back. By the way I knew absolutely nothing about playing Santa Claus.
The Santa suit arrived at my door a few days before my Santa debut to try it on. My first impression was this was going to be warm and itchy. The suit did not disappoint.
The day before I get texted my itinerary and what I thought would a one hour gig was really a four hour plus gig. Did I tell you I am a girl Dad with the inability to say no to your Daughter. Well ,I visited at least six Kindergarten classes answered a multitude of questions ranging from where’s Mrs. Claus, who is my favourite reindeer, where is my sled, and did I get there letter? I had to be sharper than I thought.
After the Kinder classes came the grade one,two, and three classes as they visited Santa’s workshop. I was swarmed and bombarded with more questions. Some even asked me if I was real. That was a tough one to answer. I said I am here so I must be real, but if you do not believe you will find out Christmas morning. The look on faces was priceless. More pictures taken, some Mom’s wanted selfies with Santa. Go figure, it must be the suit.
After awhile I rested or so I thought. Younger kids started to bring me drawings as teachers kept them busy while waiting to perform there class song. I was also told that I was too skinny to be Santa. Music to my ears but not to a five year old. I told them that I have to have room for all cookies I am going to have to eat on Christmas Eve . That lead into a discussion about what cookies I like. Chocolate Chip was the winner, followed by Oero’s with Shortbread a distance third.
The afternoon was coming to a close when I had another request to for one more picture, this one with the entire school. I got a small glimpse into what some athletes must go through. Mine was one day, the athletes always have to be on. New respect for what they do.
Picture done ,thank goodness I had to pee! Would have been a really big challenge for Santa to do this.
If asked if I would do this next year, probably yes maybe with a little more girth.
As we get older, our children mature and retailers overload our brains with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and early Boxing Day sales we lose the reason why Christmas exists. It exists for children, their imagination, their innocence and for a moment in time just believing in a mystical character.
Until next time.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.
Trust Fuels Confidence.
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