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Santa's gift-- a Christmas story

Contributed by: Cindy Fitzpatrick on 12/19/2007

It was the night before Christmas and all was not quiet in our house. My little sister, Vonnie, and I had gone to bed a few hours earlier, and like all children on that most holy night of the year, our heads were filled with whatever wonderment Santa would leave us under our Christmas tree. We were awakened out of our slumber by loud voices and horrible thumps. Every year, since we were old enough to remember, it was the same. No matter how much we prayed and hoped for it to be different, it always happened.

Dad would come home late on Christmas Eve and our parents would be arguing again. This particular episode somehow seemed worse. Maybe because we were getting older, me at 9 years old and Vonnie was 7. We so badly wanted our Christmas Eves to be bright and merry, like those of our friends.

We crawled into bed with each other and huddled close under the covers with our dog Teddy -- ever the protector. We were just little girls--feeling very terrified and scared and not knowing what was coming next. We didn't want to know! Through our tears and prayers, we tried to comfort one another as the "war" raged on.
I remember this particular Christmas Eve so well because something truly miraculous happened that night.

I peeked my head our from under the covers, blinked my eyes and blinked again. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "Vonnie," I said, "Look!" She peeked her head our from under the covers and so did Teddy. He let out a few growls and then was perfectly quiet! There in our bedroom stood Santa! He said, "Shhh, it's OK, I'm one of Santa's elves sent here by Santa to make your Christmas dreams come true!"
We weren't afraid, after all, our mother had always told us that all those santas in the department stores were simply Santa's elves, sent to help Santa with the Christmas rush because he was busy at the North Pole getting ready for his big night.

Our "Santa" said "OK girls, let's get your coats and hats and gloves. We did as instructed. "Take my hands, one on each side." "Wait!, Vonnie cried, "What about Teddy. Can he come too?" Our "Santa" just nodded a big Yes, and Vonnie picked Teddy up and tucked him inside her coat. We floated up through the window and up to the roof and there, to our complete amazement was a sleigh and eight reindeer with Rudolph in the lead!

Our "Santa" took the reins and Vonnie and I piled into the back of the big beautiful red sleigh and covered ourselves with big white furry blankets! Our tears dried up and we were in for an incredible, stupendous adventure! As "Santa"instructed the team of reindeer to "dash away," we floated on up to the sky. With the moon bright and full above us and the earth below all covered with tiny sparkling diamonds as far as the eye could see, we flew off into the night.

We traveled for what seemed a very short time. We must have nodded off, but soon we were landing on fluffly, white snow and in the distance was the most incredible sight we had ever seen! The whole village was decorated with Christmas lights and trees and candy canes and presents!

"Santa" said, "Here we are girls. We are at the biggest best party of the year here at the North Pole. Just before Santa takes off on his Christmas Eve rounds, we have a big send off party and this year you two girls were especially invited, so come on, let's join the fun!"

We stepped out of the sleigh and landed on big, soft marshmallow steps. Elves were instantly all around us with candy canes and goodies of every shape and size. Teddy let out a few "woofs". Vonnie settled him down and one of the elves even gave him a Christmas biscuit!

The tiny elves escorted our little party into the huge, beautifully decorated holiday barn with a sign that said "NORTH POLE" above it. As we stepped inside, we were immediately aware of lots of kids in their night clothes, and smiles on their tear-streaked little faces.

"There must be others like us," Vonnie whispered to me. I only nodded "yes" to her. We were seated at big, long tables and as Christmas carols sung by the elves swirled around us, we were all treated to delicious hot chocolate, sandwiches and cookies. Pretty soon a big bell sounded and what I am sure must have been Santa himself and Mrs. Claus stepped into the big room.

"I'm so glad that all of you could join us on this wonderful night of nights -- as you know, this is Christmas Eve and all children the world over should go to bed and dream happy dreams about what will be under the tree when they wake up early on Christmas morning", said Mrs. Claus. Then Santa, in his big voice said, "As I call your name, please come up and sit on my lap and tell me what it is you would like to see on Christmas morning under your Christmas tree."

My name was called first. I bravely marched right up to Santa, crawled into his lap and said, "I would like my Mom and Dad to have a happy Christmas, too!"
For a brief moment, I thought I saw sadness creep into Santa's normally twinkling eyes. "We will just see what we can do about that, now!" "Oh, and Santa, I would like a new typewriter, too!" At that, he laughed his usual big, jolly laugh and I took my seat.

Now it was Vonnie's turn. She tucked Teddy close to her, gave him a "shush", and bravely sat on Santa's lap. Always a little skeptical, she reached up and gave Santa's beard a little tug! "I just wanted to be sure it was really you Santa," she said. He let out a whoop of laughter. "Now, blondie and little pup here, what would you like to see under your tree on Christmas morning?" She thought for a few minutes and a few minutes more. Finally, a big smie brightened her pretty face."I want my mama to smile more, and I want a big yellow monkey named Zippy!"

All the kids had similar requests that evening, and we all had a very spendid Christmas Eve. When it was time to go, we were all ushered back to the very sleigh we came in. We were going home with a present personally put in our hands by one of Santa's very own elves at the North Pole, and a bag of Christmas treats, as well.

As our special sleigh took of into the night sky,with the stars twinkling above, we could hear the clock ringing to the tune of Jingle Bells. It was 12:00 o'clock and Santa needed to start his journey.

Our own personal eight reindeer guided us safely back home and to our own beds. I'm still not exactly sure just how it happened. I only know that when we woke up, it was Christmas morning, and our house was very quiet.

Vonnie, Teddy and I tip-toed out to the living room and there before us under the Christmas tree was a shiny blue typewriter with my name on it! And a big yellow monkey with "ZIPPY" written across his chest with Vonnie's name on it! We just looked at each other and smiled.

From that moment on, we knew we would always, always, no matter how long we lived, believe in Santa Claus and the North Pole. On Christmas Eve, when you look up into the night sky and look for Santa and his sleigh, BELIEVE,beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there is, indeed, a Santa Claus!




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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Cindy Fitzpatrick

Nine Mile Falls , WA

Cindy Fitzpatrick has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 12/19/2007. Cindy Fitzpatrick 's average story rating is 0.
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