Santa

(image from Tracking Down Santa)

Several weeks ago, I tried to discover how Queen Teen feels about Santa. Does she still believe? She's 13, but emotionally she's about two or three years younger. At what age do children let go of Santa?

I casually asked if she was interested in Santa. Did she want to write to him? See him when he came to town?

Queen Teen folded her arms and glared at me. "I'm not ready to give up Santa Clause!"

Okay then. I got my answer. It will be another Santa Clause Christmas. And I'm actually happy about it.

I love playing Santa; finding the perfect gifts from the North Pole and spending too much money on stocking stuffers. But the best part is early Christmas morning when she first climbs out of bed and her whole face glows with that "Santa came!" grin. My heart feels as big and warm as her smile.

We saw Santa Clause two weeks ago at the Chamber of Commerce. We were out for our usual Saturday morning, it stopped raining, walk when we strolled past the building and out walked Santa. She gripped the wheelchair breaks and said, "Look!" Santa greeted us, and then we went inside his temporary shop where he sat on a big, golden throne decorated with Christmas ribbon and bells. Queen Teen sat beside him in her chair and started giggling shyly. After I told Santa she has a hard time hearing, he spoke in a kind, loud voice. "What would you like for Christmas?"

Queen Teen giggled again and buried her chin against her chest. Then she looked at me.

"Can you tell Santa what you want?" I asked.

"I want a ......." she whispered.

"Hmmm? Can you tell me again, please?" Santa prodded.

"I want a....." she whispered.

"Should I tell Santa?" I asked.

"No! I can do it." She sat up taller, looked up at Santa and said, "I want a Princess wand." Then she collapsed back into giggling and turned bright red.

Santa said he'd see what he could do, gave her a hug, and wished us a Merry Christmas.

Luckily, Rick found a Princess Wand at Big Lots, so we're covered.

Now it's 1:00 pm on Christmas Eve and Queen Teen is beside herself waiting for Santa. Seeing her cousins and Nana tonight is great, but she can't WAIT for Santa. We even baked fresh cookies for him (another bonus for mom and dad!).

And I can't wait to see her face when she wakes up tomorrow morning and finds that Santa Clause came once again.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Solstice to you all.